by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Aug 21, 2021
Game time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Venue: BB&T Field, Cleveland, OH
Where to watch: ESPN
Season-to-date
Angels: 62-63 (4th place, AL West)
Indians: 60-61 (2nd place, AL Central)
Recent form
Angels: 5-5 in last 10
Indians: 5-5 in last 10
Projected lineup
Angels:
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
David Fletcher (R) 2B
Justin Upton (R) LF
Jared Walsh (L) 1B
Max Stassi (R) C
Jose Iglesias (R) SS
Brandon Marsh (L) CF
Jo Adell (R) RF
Jack Mayfield (R) 3B
Indians:
Myles Straw (R) CF
Amed Rosario (R) SS
Jose Ramirez (S) 3B
Franmil Reyes (R) DH
Oscar Mercado (R) LF
Bradley Zimmer (L) RF
Owen Miller (R) 1B
Austin Hedges (R) C
Ernie Clement (R) 2B
Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Indians -130, Angels +110
BetMGM: Indians -140, Angels +115
PointsBet: Indians -135, Angels +115
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Angels - Indians preview
The Cleveland Indians will try to sweep the three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels when the two meet for Sunday Night Baseball in Cleveland.
For the second time in as many starts, the Indians got a stellar start from rookie pitcher Triston McKenzie. The 24-year-old allowed only two hits and one earned run in seven innings to lead Cleveland to a 5-1 win on Saturday to take the first two of the series.
In his last start, McKenzie took a perfect game into the eighth inning before allowing a base hit. He had 11 strikeouts and followed that with eight more Saturday. Cleveland’s offense struck early Friday with the 9-1 victory.
It was a banner afternoon for the top of the Indians order. Amed Rosario went 3-for-4 and hit his seventh home run of the season. Jose Ramirez belted his 29th homer of the season to cap off a 2-for-4 day with three RBI.
Leadoff man Myles Straw also had a 2-for-5 day to help propel Cleveland’s offense to its second straight victory.
The Indians drew to one game below .500 but still remain 10.5 games back of the Chicago White Sox for first place in the American League Central.
Cal Quantrill will get the start on the mound for the Indians. The 26-year-old right-hander is 3-2 with a 3.24 ERA this season.
McKenzie made quick work of the Angels batters as if it was nothing. The Angels were held to three hits, all coming from the bottom half of the order. Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-4 and struck out three times.
Los Angeles fell 11.5 games out of favor in the American League West after Reid Detmers’ rough outing; the 22-year-old lasted only 3.2 innings and allowed three runs, but gave up seven hits while giving up a home run.
Early returns from the first two of this three-game set shows the Angels’ offense fizzled quickly after that 8-run comeback that led to the sweep of the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. The trip to Cleveland has proven rough early for the Angels. They can’t wait to get back to Angel Stadium soon enough.
Jose Suarez will get the start for the Angels, who is 5-6 with a 3.88 ERA.
Betting trends
The over is 19-11 when the moneyline favors the Indians between -100 and -150. Overall, the Indians are 16-15 in that setting.
The Angels are 27-36 when an underdog this season. The under is 34-28.
Teams are 4-16 the last three years when Suarez starts.
Prediction
While signs don’t look promising for the Angels to avoid a sweep, don’t underestimate the power of playing on national television when the lights are bright. Even Ohtani will find a way to make it memorable on ESPN. We think the Angels will come to play and get a much-needed win. Angels win 6-4.
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
