INDIANS (Kluber) @ MARINERS (Paxton)
Take: INDIANS -128
Turn back the clock one year and you’ll readily see some striking similarities to this season as far as the Corey Kluber game ledger goes. Kluber had a few less than desired starts early on, but he got it rolling in May last season. It looks as though he’s repeating that process in 2015.
Kluber had a difficult April. He actually was pitching reasonably well, but was getting some horrible luck and it seemed as though every time he did make a mistake, it would prove very costly. That’s not happening anymore. The reigning AL Cy Young winner is getting on another roll. I can’t say he’ll duplicate last year’s phenomenal run that saw the Indians win 20 of his last 27 starts. But Kluber is back in the form that tells me there might be better options available than trying to beat him.
The Indians are clearly an early season disappointment. I’m not sure they’re going to be able to straighten out what is looking like a very shaky bullpen and this is still a team that can be stymied by good lefties. That’s the rub tonight as Seattle southpaw James Paxton can be very tough at times and no one on the Indians has faced him previously. The Mariners are also returning home with positive momentum following an impressive road sweep at Tampa Bay.
But my key ingredient here is Kluber. Once he got it going in 2014, he was a huge money maker as he dominated on such a frequent basis. It’s a little deja vu all over again here as Kluber has stated to once again blow away the opposition. When a top end starting pitcher gets on a roll, I’ll personally add significantly when I make my line on a game. That’s the case here, as I’m pricing the Indians in the -150 neighborhood. Therefore, at least from my vantage point, I’m not having to pay a premium on Kluber with the price where it is currently. I’ll look to back the Indians tonight.
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