The Chicago Cubs (10-3) and Cleveland Indians (10-7) keep off a two-game interleague set Tuesday at Progressive Field with a 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch (on FS1). We analyze the Cubs-Indians betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Cubs at Indians: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Jon Lester vs. RHP Adam Plutko
Lester enters this 2017 World Series rematch with a 1-0 record and a sparkling 0.82 ERA and 0.55 WHIP across his two outings to date.
- Lester hasn’t faced the Indians since the 2018 season when he was 0-2, but he had a solid 2.57 ERA and .208 opponent batting average over 14 innings across two starts.
- Lester posted a 6-2 record, 4.34 ERA with 18 walks and 44 strikeouts across 47 2/3 innings in eight interleague starts in 2019.
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Plutko gets the emergency start after RHP Mike Clevinger violated healthy and safety protocols in Chicago over the weekend. Clevinger will be quarantined for 72 hours and tested daily.
- Plutko made a start earlier in the season, allowing two earned runs, five hits and no walks with four strikeouts over six innings in a win over the White Sox back on July 28 at Progressive Field.
- Plutko made nine starts at Progressive Field in 2019, posting a 4-2 record, 3.83 ERA and 32 strikeouts with an opponent’s batting average of .217 in 49 1/3 innings.
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Cubs at Indians: Key injuries
(List of injuries around the league)
Cubs
- 3B Daniel Descalso (ankle) out
Indians
- SP Mike Clevinger (disciplinary action) out
- OF Tyler Naquin (toe) out
- C Roberto Perez (shoulder) out
- SP Zach Plesac (disciplinary action) out
Cubs at Indians: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Tuesday at 10:35 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Cubs 5, Indians 2
Moneyline (ML)
The CUBS (-112) are favored to bounce back after being annihilated in their interleague series final with the Royals on Sunday. The Indians (+100/EVEN) will be dealing with a lot of distractions following the punishments to Clevinger and Plesac, but on a positive note, manager Terry Francona is back with the team after being away due to a gastrointestinal issue.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The CUBS (-1.5, +135) are a strong play on the run line against the Indians (+1.5, -162) on the road. Lester has been untouchable, albeit in just two starts.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 9 (-110) is the lean here. Plutko was sharp in his earlier start this season, but the Indians have had issues plating runs, and they’ll have plenty of problems trying to solve the veteran southpaw Lester. Cleveland ranks 28th in the majors with 3.47 runs per game scored and they’re 1st in the league with a 2.04 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 15 quality starts. That’s a recipe for plenty of under results.
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