One of the American League’s breakout starts this year has been Cleveland’s Shane Bieber. He was the All-Star Game MVP and takes the mound for the Indians on Wednesday against the Red Sox. Cleveland will be a solid MLB Betting favorite.

How to Bet Red Sox vs Indians MLB Odds & Game Info

• When: Wednesday, 1:10 PM ET
• Where: Progressive Field
• Probable pitchers (away/home): TBA/Shane Bieber
• TV: MLB Network
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• Radio: SiriusXM
• MLB Odds: TBA

Weather Forecast

• Mostly Sunny: 25°C/77°F
• Humidity: 68%
• Precipitation: 18%
• Cloud Cover: 26%
• Wind: 11 mph N
• Stadium Type: Open

Why Bet on Boston?

Boston has lost good looking rookie infielder Michael Chavis to the 10-day injured list with an AC sprain in his left shoulder. He figures to miss at least the next 3-4 weeks. The 24-year-old rookie leaves behind a .254/.322/.444 batting line with 18 home runs and 58 RBI through his first 95 major league games. Brock Holt and Marco Hernandez figure to share time at second base in Boston.

The Red Sox rotation is hugely in flux right now. This was to be Brian Johnson’s spot. Johnson allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one over 2.2 innings Friday night against the Angels. He didn’t factor into the decision. Johnson surrendered a three-run homer in the first inning, and he failed to make it out of the third after firing 28 of 50 pitches for strikes. The 28-year-old was filling in for David Price (wrist) in the rotation.

Price played catch on Monday. He made 50 throws on flat ground at Fenway Park in his first bit of throwing since he went on the injured list last week. It’s not clear what the next step is for the left-hander. Price is dealing with a cyst in his left wrist.

However, Manager Alex Cora has decided to juggle things up and hasn’t named a starter for Wednesday. The team has demoted Andrew Cashner to the bullpen. Cashner had been on a nice run when the Red Sox acquired him from the Orioles a month ago, but he’s been a disaster in Boston with an 8.01 ERA over six starts.

The Red Sox’s rotation will have six off days in 19 days beginning Thursday, with five full off days and a day of rest Aug. 22, when Boston will finish its suspended game against the Kansas City Royals in the 10th inning. Cora said the team might skip starters or piggyback them to give guys additional rest.

“That’s going to benefit us,” Cora said. “We’re going to reset as far as the innings and all that and put us in a good spot. They’re going to benefit from the off days and it’s going to put us in a good spot for September.”

Team Stats

• Runs: 5.73
• Hits: 9.77
• Walks: 3.69
• Strike Outs: 8.40

• Runs: 5.24
• Hits: 8.85
• Walks: 3.52
• Strike Outs: 9.96

Why Bet on Cleveland?

The Indians are 42-17 (.712) since June 4 (entering Tuesday), the best win percentage and the most wins in the Majors in that span.

Closer Brad Hand blew his second straight save Monday, but he was awarded the win after the Indians scored in the bottom of the ninth against the Red Sox. A Mookie Betts walk and a Xander Bogaerts double produced the run off Hand. Hand’s job remains safe, though he hasn’t been very good over the last six weeks or so.

Outfielder Yasiel Puig began serving his three-game suspension on Monday night. So he’ll miss this series before returning to action Thursday versus the Yankees. Puig was given the suspension for his involvement in the Reds’ benches-clearing brawl with the Pirates back on July 30. That was the same night he got traded to Cleveland.

It’s Shane Bieber for the Tribe. Bieber (12-4) struck out 11 and picked up the win in Friday’s 6-2 victory over the Twins, giving up two runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings. The right-hander did get tagged for a couple of solo homers, but otherwise Bieber was dominant once again. Over his last eight trips to the mound he’s delivered seven quality starts — including two complete games — going 6-1 with a 2.40 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 71:9 K:BB over 60 innings. Over his last four outings, Bieber has tossed 32 innings, including two complete games. In that span, he’s owned a 1.69 ERA with 37 K’s and has held opponents to a .193 batting average.

Indians starting pitchers carry a 3.87 ERA, the 3rd-best ERA among starters in the AL and 6th-best in the Majors. Cleveland starters rank 4th in MLB in WHIP (1.18), T4th in strikeouts-per-nine innings (9.7) and 5th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.51). Since July 30, Cleveland starting pitchers have recorded a 2.58 ERA, the 2nd-best mark in the Majors over that stretch behind only the Dodgers (1.91).

Team Stats

• Runs: 4.66
• Hits: 8.36
• Walks: 3.46
• Strike Outs: 8.05

• Runs: 3.92
• Hits: 7.89
• Walks: 2.77
• Strike Outs: 9.36

Red Sox vs Indians MLB Betting Trends

• Indians are 5-1 in Bieber’s last 6 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance
• Under is 6-2 in Bieber’s last 8 starts vs. American League East
• Red Sox are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 14 of Boston’s last 19 games this season
• Indians are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games at home
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 5 games against Boston

Expert Final Score Prediction for Red Sox vs Indians

Boston Red Sox 3 – Cleveland Indians 5