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American League Betting: Cleveland Indians at Texas Rangers

The Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers continue a three-game American League series Saturday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Cleveland was unable to hold a 7-2 lead in the third inning last night and dropped an 8-7 contest to Texas.  The Indians have now lost 26 of their last 47 games and slipped four games behind in the AL Central standings behind the Tigers.  “We had them right where we wanted them,” said Indians manager Manny Acta.  “Ninth inning with the lead and our closer on the mound.”  Playing Texas has been no picnic for the club recently, dropping 17 of the last 20 meetings, including all five meetings this year.  Cleveland is 6-13 in its last 19 road games when facing a left-handed starter.

Indians starting pitcher Fausto Carmona is 5-11 with a 5.31 ERA in 21 starts this season and is coming off a disappointing 5-3 home loss to the Royals.  He allowed four runs and six hits over 7 1/3 innings in that particular effort.  Life on the road has been rather tumultuous, entering with a losing 3-6 record and 5.58 ERA, as opponents are hitting .290 against him.  Carmona will be making his 11th career start versus the Rangers, producing a dreadful 2-7 mark and 5.43 ERA, including a 4-0 home loss on June 4.  He gave up four runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 frames in that effort.

Texas leads the AL West division and has won 27 of its last 43 games.  The Rangers have really dominated the race by having at least a share of the lead for 113 of 127 days in 2011.  “We’re getting into the last month-and-a-half, two months,” said designated hitter Michael Young.  “It’s time for us to put our foot on the gas and make something happen.”  Playing at home has been a major advantage for the club, hitting 87 home runs at the Ballpark in Arlington, which leads MLB.  Texas is 45-33 versus right-handed starters this year.

Rangers starting pitcher C.J. Wilson is 10-5 with a 3.38 ERA in 23 starts this season and has been knocked around in his last two outings.  He is 0-1 with a 11.74 ERA in that span, raising his season ERA from 2.94 to its current state.  The left-hander has enjoyed pitching in front of the home fans, coming in with a 5-1 record and 4.11 ERA.  In 21 career appearances (three starts) versus the Indians, Wilson is 2-1 with a 2.62 ERA, limiting them to a .187 average.

At the time of this writing, Texas was listed as a -220 home favorite and the total at 9.5 Over (-115).