Cleveland Indians vs Oakland Athletics Free MLB Prediction, 7–16–2017

Free MLB Pick by Frank Moone of King Sports Picks

Cleveland Indians (47–42) at Oakland Athletics (41–50)

MLB: Sunday, July 16th, 4:05 pm EST

Line: Oakland Athletics -105 | Cleveland Indians -115 | Over/Under: 8.5

Last Meeting: 7/15/17 OAK 5 CLE 3

The Oakland A’s look to complete a three game sweep over the visiting Cleveland Indians. Oakland won Game 1, 5–0 and won Game 2, 5–3. Oakland has cashed as a big underdog in the last two nights but they are slight favorites in this matchup. Cleveland leads the AL Central but the Twins and Royals are gaining ground. Oakland sits in last place in the AL West, 20.0 games behind Houston the top team in the American League.

Taking the hill for the Indians in this one will be Trevor Bauer and he has gone 7–7 with a 5.24 ERA in 17 starts on the year, including 1–2 with a 4.00 ERA in his last three starts and 3–4 with a 5.90 ERA in eight starts on the road.

The Indians have allowed 10 runs in this series and five runs in each of their last three games. The Cleveland Indians have lost nine of their last 11 games when allowing more than three runs which will be the key number for Trevor Bauer and the Indians bullpen.

Indians are 5–0 in Bauers last 5 starts vs. American League West

Oakland is now just 6.5 games out of a wildcard slot, which is the only way that they can get in as they are still 20 games out of first in the American League West. The A’s will trot out Sean Manaea in this one and he has gone 7–5 with a 3.77 ERA in 16 starts on the year, including 1–1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last three starts and 3–1 with a 3.80 ERA in eight starts here at home.

The A’s have not pitched well and they have not scored runs, a bad combination for a baseball team. Oakland enters this game ranked 23rd in the league in scoring, putting up just 4.30 rpg, while also ranking 29th in hitting at .236 and 8th in homers with 127. On the mound they have been poor as they come in ranked 25th in the league in ERA at 4.72, while also ranking 13th in WHIP at 1.33.

Athletics are 7–3 in Manaea’s last 10 starts

Sean Manaea has gone 1–1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last three starts overall and he has faced the Indians twice in his career and won both games, allowing just two ERs on 6 hits and three walks, while striking out 17 in 14 innings of work in those two games. Trevor Bauer is not the same pitcher he was last season and he has never been a shut down pitcher. He allows too many runs and the Indians are 3–8 in Bauers last 11 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game. The edge on the mound goes to the A’s and they seem to have the Indians number, winning the last 4 games at home vs the Tribe. Take the A’s at home for the series sweep.

Indians vs A’s FREE Pick: Oakland A’s -105