Oct 6, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) hits a grand slam during the sixth inning in game two of the 2017 ALDS against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Editorial by: Graydon Fox

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If there are ties, a random drawing will determine the winner.

Top 5 Winners:

1. Ty Evans (400 points)
2. Bottomsup3tvs (400 points)
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Overview:

On Saturday, July 14^th, the (59-30) New York Yankees will be on the road to take on the (49-40) Cleveland Indians.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Yankees 5.5 – Indians 4.3 with an over/under of 9.8.

Starting Pitchers:

NYY: C.C. Sabathia (6-4, 3.34) vs CLE: Mike Clevinger (7-4, 3.34)

Batting Stats:

Runs per game: Yankees 5.17 (2^nd) > Indians 5.00 (5^th)

Batting Average: Indians .254 (7^th) > Yankees .251 (10^th)

On Base Percentage: Yankees .331 (5^th) > Indians .325 (7^th)

Total Bases: Yankees 1409 (2^nd) > Indians 1345 (4^th)

Baserunning Stats:

Stolen Bases: Indians 68 (4^th) > Yankees 38 (20^th)

Pitching Stats:

Team Earned Run Average: Yankees 3.43 (2^nd) > Indians 3.97 (15^th)

Batting Average Against: Yankees .223 (2^nd) > Indians .243 (12^th)

Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched: Yankees 1.17 (2^nd) > Indians 1.19 (4^th)

Strikeouts: Yankees 894 (2^nd) > Indians 805 (8^th)

Saves: Yankees 27 (5^th) > Indians 20 (25^th)

Fielding Stats:

Errors: Yankees 48 (13^th) > Indians 53 (20^th)

Summary:

The Yankees enter the game ranking 2^nd in runs per game (5.17) and 2^nd in team earned run average (3.43).  The Yankees are (6-4) in their last ten games and (26-17) on the road this season.  Aaron Judge (.281, 25 HR, 60 RBI) is all but falling into a sophomore slump.  Big offseason acquisition Giancarlo Stanton (.272, 22 HR, 52 RBI) is not quite replicating his MVP form but is providing plenty production.  Gleyber Torres (.294, 15 HR, 42 RBI) has burst onto the scene and is the early favorite for American League Rookie of the year.  New York’s dynamite bullpen ranks 3^rd in ERA (2.69) with household names Aroldis Chapman, David Robertson, and Dellin Betances leading the way.  The Yankees will be up against Indians righty Mike Clevinger (7-4, 3.34) who has held them to a combined .130 average in only 23 at-bats.  Clevinger is (3-2, 4.08) at home this season and (1-2, 5.29) in his last three starts.

The Indians rank 13^th in runs per game (4.41) and 13^th in team ERA (3.91).  Cleveland is (28-16) at home this season and (5-5) in their last ten games.  Francisco Lindor (.298, 23 HR, 57 RBI) and Jose Ramirez (.288, 24 HR, 59 RBI) have become absolute superstars.  Michael Brantley (.308, 11 HR, 50 RBI) is enjoying a nice bounce-back campaign after several injury riddled seasons.  The Indians have arguably the best starting rotation in the league but their bullpen ranks 28^th in ERA (5.13).  The Tribe will be up against Yankees southpaw C.C. Sabathia (6-4, 3.34) who has held them to a combined .212 average in 208 at bats.  Sabathia is (2-3, 4.42) on the road this season and (2-1, 4.00) in his last three starts.

Bottom Line:

The Yankees are (3-0) against the Indians this season outscoring them 19-12.  The Indians have struggled against upper level competition going (15-22) against teams over .500.  Cleveland’s lefty dominant lineup has struggled against southpaws and Sabathia has good numbers against them in a large sample size.  I expect a fairly high scoring game but I like the Yankees to win this one on the road.

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