Wednesday’s MLB schedule features an interleague matchup between the Cleveland Indians and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Indians dominated the first game of the season on Tuesday night, winning 10-1. However, the Cardinals are home favorites on Wednesday with a moneyline of -130 compared to Cleveland’s moneyline of +110.
Obviously, the Cardinals are eager to bounce back quickly from the 10-1 drubbing they took on Tuesday. Adding to the insult is the fact that it was the team’s sixth consecutive loss. The Cardinals have just one win in their last nine games, dropping them just one game over .500 and 3.5 games back in the NL Central.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is trying to avoid falling too far behind the Chicago White Sox atop the AL Central standings. The Indians have played .500 ball in late May in early June. As it stands, Cleveland is four games behind the White Sox, making it important for the Tribe to start stringing wins together.
Who’s This Guy?
Cleveland will send Jean Carlos Mejia to the mound to start on Wednesday. The 24-year-old is just a few weeks removed from his big league debut and will be making just the second start of his career. The good news is that he’s yet to allow a run in eight innings, although after pitching three innings in his last start, he’s not stretched out enough to pitch deep into the game.
The good news for Mejia is that he’s getting a St. Louis lineup that’s averaging just 3.1 runs per game over its last nine games. The Cardinals have fallen on some hard times offensively, which has contributed to their recent losing streak. Ironically, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado have been productive over the last week, but the Cards aren’t getting enough from the rest of their lineup.
The Wright Guy
As they grow desperate for a win and deal with injuries to their rotation, the Cardinals will send Adam Wainwright to the mound on Wednesday. The 39-year-old veteran is just 3-5 this year but has posted a 4.19 ERA over 11 starts. He’s also allowed one run or less in four of his starts this season, so Wainwright is still capable of pitching a gem.
Wainwright has a chance to do just that against a Cleveland lineup that has struggled to find consistency all season. The caveat is that the Tribe has scored 10 runs twice in its last three games and scored at least five runs in five of their six games this month. With Franmil Reyes on the IL, Eddie Rosario has stepped up to help Jose Ramirez lead the Indians and make them look like a competent offensive team.
Still Cold
St. Louis will have a hard time getting back on track against a young pitcher who they haven’t seen before who’s been lights out early in his career. Cleveland also has an excellent bullpen that can close out a game in the last few innings if the Indians get a lead.
Bet on Cleveland as a road underdog to beat the Cardinals on Wednesday.
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