Prior to the start of the MLB, each team is tagged with the number of wins they are expected to achieve. For some, that means achieving what is a very lofty goal, while others have the bar set very, very low indeed. You would assume that all the pressure would be on the teams who have the highest expectations, but fans can just as quickly turn on their home team if they are falling below the low expectations placed on them at the start of the season. In this interleague series, we have a pair of teams who fall into very different categories.
The Cleveland Guardians are once again expected to land atop the AL Central and are certainly in a position to do so in the early going, although it looks as though the Twins are going to push them all the way. The expectations for the Miami Marlins are very different, as a lot of people think that the only thing they will accomplish this season is having the worst record in baseball. The Indians won the opener in this series and are in as a 1 ½ run favorite for this one. The run total is in at 6 ½.
Indians vs Marlins MLB Odds & Pick for Wednesday Night
- When: Wednesday, May 1 at 7:10 PM EST
- Where: Marlins Park, Miami
- Starting Pitchers: Kluber vs Smith
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Radio: Marlins Radio
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- MLB Odds: Cleveland -140 (Total 6.5)
Why bet on the Cleveland Indians?
The Indians come into this game with a 16-12 record after taking out the Marlins 7-4 in the opening game of this interleague series. It was a win that Cleveland really needed, as that victory moved them to just 5-5 in their last 10 games, a run that leaves them sitting a game and a half off the lead in the AL Central. That win also took them above .500 on the road, with their record away from home now sitting at 9-8.
The Indians have not had a great deal of success in interleague play this season, as their win on Tuesday takes them to just 3-3 in games versus teams from the National League. They need more out of their ace Corey Kluber (2-2, 5.81 ERA), who will be getting the start here.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 3.89
- Hits: 6.96
- Walks: 3.71
- Strike Outs: 9.57
Defense
- Runs: 3.75
- Hits: 7.21
- Walks: 3.36
- Strike Outs: 9.89
Why bet on the Miami Marlins?
If you take a look at what the Marlins have done to this point in the season, you end up having a tough time finding anything positive to talk about. They are just 8-21 on the season, already 8 games off the pace being set by the leaders in the NL East. Home field has certainly not been an advantage for the Marlins this season, as a 5-12 record simply isn’t good enough.
With their loss in the opening game of this series, Miami are now on a 4-game losing skid that could potentially get a good deal longer before they find a way to snap out of it. With just 82 runs scored in 29 games, it’s tough to see who might provide the spark they need. It will be Caleb Smith (2-0, 2.17 ERA) who starts here.
Team Stats
Offense
- Runs: 2.83
- Hits: 7.38
- Walks: 2.48
- Strike Outs: 9.14
Defense
- Runs: 4.93
- Hits: 8.31
- Walks: 3.55
- Strike Outs: 9.07
Rockies vs Brewers MLB Spread, Game Preview & Pick
Indians vs Marlins MLB Betting Trends
- Indians are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of Cleveland’s last 15 games against an opponent in the National League conference
- Marlins are 3-10 SU in their last 13 games at home.
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Miami’s last 12 games this season
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Indians vs Marlins
Caleb Smith has been one of the few bright spots on this Marlins team, and while he might be able to hold them in this game, it is likely to all fall apart once the bullpen is called into action. I am taking the Indians to win and cover.
Score: Cleveland Indians 5 – Miami Marlins 2
