GAME:  #975 Indians @ #976 Cubs
DATE:    9/16/2020 – 8:15 pm EST
ODDS:   Indians -115 / Cubs +105
O/U:       8.5

The Chicago Cubs (29-20) host the Cleveland Indians (26-22) at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs took the first game of the series by a score of 6-5 in the bottom of the 9th bases-loaded Hit By Pitch on Maybin for a “walk-off” win. These teams have met 3 times so far this season and the Cubs have won all 3 games. 

CLEVELAND INDIANS

The Indians have right-hander Aaron Civale listed as the probable pitcher for the 2nd game. Civale is 3-5 with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Civale has pitched in 58 inning’s and he has allowed 57 hits, 25 runs, 7 home runs, 10 walks, and has 56 K’s this season. The Indians have a team batting average of .232 against Jon Lester. 

CHICAGO CUBS

The Cubs have left-hander Jon Lester on the bump for this matchup. Lester is 2-2 with a 5.05 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Lester has pitched 46.1 inning’s and has given up 50 hits, 26 runs, 9 home runs, 12 walks, and has 37 K’s this season. The Cubs have not faced Civale much but have been hitting righties at .247 in the last 10 games. 

BATTER VS PITCHER  (dailybaseballdata.com)

TRENDS (covers.com) 

INDIANS

• Under is 7-0 in Civales last 7 starts during game 2 of a series.

CUBS

• Over is 6-0 in Cubs last 6 interleague games as an underdog.
• Cubs are 0-4 in Lesters last 4 starts as an underdog.

HEAD TO HEAD

• Indians are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Chicago.
• Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Chicago.
• Indians are 3-7 in the last 10 meetings.

INDIANS VS CUBS PREDICTION

The Cubs took game 1 on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch but they should have had the game won 5-3 before giving up a 2-run shot to Lindor in the top of the 9th. The Indians have been on a downward slide losing 7 straight games scoring only 22 total runs in those losses. The Cubs have won 6 of the last 8 games. Jon Lester started the season well then had a few terrible starts but looked to be back to himself in his last outing against the Brewers. The Bookie is taking the hot team over the cold team with the Cubs. The Public is split on this game leading Indians early and the sharps have caused the line to move for the Cubs. 

The Bookie:         Cubs +105
Fade the Public:  Cubs
Sharp Action:      Cubs

1 Unit to win 1.05 Units on:  (#976) Cubs +105

ADDITIONAL WAGERS:

6:40 PM
(#958) Cincinnati Reds -1 -180
0.9 Units to win 0.5 Units.

7:05 PM
(#964) NY Yankees -1 -220 
1.1 Units to win 0.5 Units.

8:10 PM
(#974) Houston Astros -1 -160 
0.8 Units to win 0.5 Units.