Rangers Indians Betting – Indians Will Face Tough Test With Four-Game Set Against Texas

The city of Cleveland has long struggled through a streak of futility when it comes to their major sports teams, a trend that reached its peak with the collapses of the Browns and the Cavaliers post-Lebron this past year. There is some hope for the city though in terms of their MLB betting team, which became the first in the majors to reach the 30-win mark in 2011 with an outstanding start. The Indians know they are still a long ways away from reaching their ultimate goal, a road that will continue on Thursday when they open up a four-game set against the defending AL champion Texas Rangers in an excellent test of where they are at so far this season.

Texas Rangers @ Cleveland Indians

The toughest test might come in the first meeting with the Rangers sending Matt Harrison to the mound to counter Carlos Carrasco. Harrison hasn’t allowed an earned run in his past two starts, going 14.1 innings while allowing a total of just 10 hits. Texas can score in bunches and if they can get to Carrasco early on this one could be over just as quickly as it began.

Texas Rangers @ Cleveland Indians

Justin Masterson was one of the overachievers that played very well early on to help the Indians jump out to an early division lead, but he has struggled in his past few starts, particularly his last one against the Tampa Bay Rays in which he allowed six earned runs in just five innings of work in an eventual 7-0 loss. He’ll have his confidence pushed to the limit with the undefeated Alexi Ogando on the mound for the Rangers, and for as good as the Indians have been at home this will be another tough sports betting challenge.

Texas Rangers @ Cleveland Indians

Fausto Carmona hasn’t allowed less than four runs in any of his past four starts, but with the offense well aware that they will need a big day to avoid losing three straight to open the series look for the Cleveland bats to come alive. 24-year old Derek Holland hasn’t been consistent all year, and he will be tested as the Indians finally come alive to avoid a third straight loss.

Texas Rangers @ Cleveland Indians

After finally getting in the win column the Indians will be shut down by CJ Wilson in the series finale, with Cleveland starter Mitch Talbot taking the loss on the chin. The Rangers have been on the verge of breaking out all year and with MVP Josh Hamilton finally back to full health they will begin to flex their muscle by clinching the third of four games against the AL Central leaders with time to go before the 2011 Belmont Stakes betting race.