Cubs vs Indians Odds, Lines, and Spread – Aug 11
By Chris Amberley in MLB Baseball
Updated: March 9, 2021 at 2:43 pm ESTPublished:
- The Chicago Cubs are 1.5 run underdogs against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday (Aug. 11, 7:10 pm EST)
- Jon Lester (1-0, 0.82 ERA) will start for Chicago, while Cleveland will give the ball to Adam Plutko (1-0, 2.57 ERA)
- Read below for a preview and betting prediction for the game
The Cleveland Indians need to get their act together. Just a day after the club learned Zach Plesac violated virus safety protocol, news came out Monday that Mike Clevinger did the same while on a road trip in Chicago.
Cleveland Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger went out with teammate Zach Plesac in Chicago on Saturday night in violation of team protocol, sources tell ESPN. Clevinger was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday against the Cubs and will quarantine. He flew with the team Sunday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 10, 2020
For those keeping track at home, that’s two-fifths of the rotation that must now go into quarantine, meaning Clevinger will miss his scheduled start on Tuesday versus the Chicago Cubs. Reliever Adam Plutko will take his place when the two teams meet at 7:10 pm EST.
Cubs vs Indians Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | +130 | +1.5 (-175) | Over 8 (-120) |
| Cleveland Indians | -150 | -1.5 (+145) | Under 8 (-103) |
Odds taken Aug. 11th
Surprisingly, Chicago isn’t favored in this matchup despite avoiding an ace in Clevinger. They’re +130 on the moneyline, in a game that features a total of eight in the Cubs vs Indians odds. Chicago owns the best winning percentage in baseball (.769), and are fresh off taking three of four from Kansas City. Cleveland meanwhile, has won back-to-back outings and five of the last six.
Plutko Still Deserves Respect
The under is 8-2 in the Indians’ last 10 games and don’t expect a high scoring affair now that Plutko is on the mound. The 28-year-old has 32 big league starts under his belt and went 7-5 as a starter in 2019.
Adam Plutko, K'ing the side.
Because that's just what Cleveland starters do. pic.twitter.com/SHNJSxt9K4
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 29, 2020
He made a spot start two weeks ago against the Chicago White Sox and handled himself quite nicely. He tossed 6 innings of two-run ball versus one of the AL’s best lineups, striking out four en route to a 5-3 victory.
#PitchersWhoPerformPerfectlyPlacedBunts
Adam Plutko answered the call last night, taking a no-no into the 7th of a 1-0 game. https://t.co/yVrq7bddbI
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 24, 2018
He’s made one career start against the Cubs back in 2018 and it was a doozie. He scattered two hits over six scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory.
Cubs Career Stats vs Plutko
| Player | AB | H | HR | RBI | K | AVG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kris Bryant | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Anthony Rizzo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Javier Baez | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Wilson Contreras | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Kyle Schwarber | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| David Bote | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Jason Heyward | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Nico Hoerner | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Victor Caratini | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
The Cubs offense has been slightly above average this season, scoring five runs per game, but the main reason for their 10-3 start has been their pitching.
Lester Has Been Lights Out
At 36-years-old, Jon Lester’s best days were thought to be behind him. But so far in 2020, that hasn’t been the case. He’s been brilliant in both of his starts, allowing just a single run and four hits in 11 total innings of work.
Jon Lester sporting a tidy 0.82 ERA through two starts. @NationalPro pic.twitter.com/ypCbCkfltU
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 2, 2020
Once a power pitcher, his strikeout rate has plummeted this season, but he’s finding other ways to get hitters out. He’s forced soft contact by over 26% of the batters he’s faced, and his 1.64 BB/9 rate would be by far the lowest of his career if it sustains.
He’s dominated Cleveland over the years, posting a 7-3 record and 2.97 ERA in 17 career starts. He last faced them back in 2018, coincidentally opposing Plutko, and allowed just one run in 7 innings of work.
Indians Career Stats vs Lester
| Player | AB | H | HR | RBI | K | AVG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cesar Hernandez | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .167 |
| Jose Ramirez | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .167 |
| Francisco Lindor | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .333 |
| Carlos Santana | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .100 |
| Franmil Reyes | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .800 |
| Bradley Zimmer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Domingo Santana | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Beau Taylor | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Oscar Mercado | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
After starting the year ice cold, the Cleveland bats have heated up a bit over the last week which has keyed their improved play. It’s worth noting however, that they haven’t hit left-handed pitching well this year. They’re batting just .218, with a .301 OBP against southpaws this season.
Runs Will Be Hard to Come By
Cleveland isn’t the only team to play a bunch of low scoring games recently, as the under has been a frequent winner in Chicago games as well. Four of the last six Cubs games have stayed under the total and this one is shaping up that way as well.
Chicago allows less than five runs per contest (4.46) and has kept its opponents below four runs in five of its last seven. Cleveland meanwhile, leads MLB in team ERA (2.04) and averages just 2.17 runs against per game.
Pick: Under 8 (-103)
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
