Blue Jays vs Indians Game 1 ALCS Prediction — MLB Baseball Handicappers
Blue Jays vs Indians Game 1 ALCS Prediction
FREE Pick & MLB Betting Prediction
Toronto Blue Jays vs Cleveland Indians
Line: Indians -130, 7.5
Game Time: Friday October 14, 2016, 8pm EST
The Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians play game one of the ALCS Friday night at Progressive Field. Both teams made quick work of their ALDS opponents as the Indians swept the Red Sox and the Blue Jays swept the Rangers. Both teams may have been considered underdogs to win their ALDS series but now both teams are red hot and aim to make a run to the World Series.
Getting the nod for the Blue Jays will be veteran right hander Marco Estrada. Estrada will be making his 9th postseason appearance and is already (1–0) in the 2016 post season after winning game 1 vs the Rangers. Estrada conceded only 1 run and 4 hits over 8.1 innings vs Texas. Estrada faced the Indians once this year and came out a winner. However, the Indians won the season series 4–3.
Edwin Encarnacion smashed 42 home runs in the regular season and so far this postseason he has continued to mashed the ball. Encarnacion lead the Blue Jays with two homers and four RBI’s in their series vs the Rangers. Toronto has one of the scariest lineups in baseball and were very effective with men on base in the ALDS, going 11 for 23 with 17 runs scored with runners in scoring position.
In the postseason, good pitching will almost always top good hitting and the Indians have to feel good about their rotation. Cleveland’s starting pitchers and bull pen shut down the best offense in baseball and allowed 7 runs and 21 hits while striking out 31 batters in 27 innings of work. Cleveland dashed the dreams of Boston fans for Big Pappi to go out on top and bring another World Series Championship to Boston.
Corey Kluber takes the hill for Cleveland and he was 18–9 with a 3.14 ERA and 227 strikeouts this season. Kluber is 1–0 with a 0.00 ERA and seven strikeouts in his postseason career, all coming vs Boston in Game 1. Kluber has faced the Blue Jays twice this season and was roughed up in his first start, serving up five runs in 3.1 innings at the Rogers Centre. In his second start he was much better at home, conceding just two runs over 6.2 innings, finishing with the no decision.
This really should be a great series to watch as both teams appear to be very confident heading into the ALCS. Kluber had a tremendous season but he has allowed 14 of his 22 home runs at home. This Toronto offense can really pile on the runs and have the power to put any game out of reach. If the Blue Jays can get to Kluber early, it could be a long night for Cleveland. The smart bet would be to take Toronto +120 until the bats go cold…which may not happen this postseason.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Blue Jays are 6–1 in Estrada’s last 7 road starts against a team with a winning record
- 6–0 in their last 6 overall and 9–3 in Estradas last 12 road starts
