CLEVELAND vs DETROIT
When: 12/26/2020 7:00 PM
Where:

TV: 7:00 PM
LINE: -2.5
PREDICTION: DETROIT , CLEVELAND

Oddsmakers currently have the DETROIT listed as -2.5 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 218.5.

Lottery picks Collin Sexton and Darius Garland led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a season-opening victory.

With Kevin Love nursing a calf injury, the young backcourt may need to replicate that production when Cleveland visits Detroit on Saturday.

Sexton, the eighth pick of the 2018 draft, had 27 points and Garland, the fifth pick of the 2019 draft, added 22 as the Cavaliers defeated Charlotte 121-114 on Wednesday.

“You look at the combination and how they can play with one another and the pressure they can put on the defenses,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “But not only did they have 49 points, they had 11 assists between them and they took care of the basketball. They’re both extremely gifted but they also competed on the defensive end of the floor.”

Cleveland’s offense was humming against the Hornets, as it shot 52.9 percent from the field and assisted on 34 of 46 made field goals.

“We’re trying to play to each other’s strengths,” Bickerstaff said. “We’re still learning one another chemistry-wise. But we’re passing the ball to the open man as much as we possibly can.”

Bickerstaff wasn’t thrilled with his team’s second-half performance. Charlotte scored 70 points after halftime and shot 50 percent for the game.

“I think we were unselfish the majority of the night,” Bickerstaff said. “Defensively, I think we were really good in spots. The second half, I felt it got away from us a little bit. We played into their hands and allowed them to take uncontested threes.”

Love’s status for Saturday’s game is in doubt, but Larry Nance Jr. filled in very well at power forward. Nance had 13 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks against Charlotte.

The Pistons, who will be playing their home opener on Saturday, lost their opener to Minnesota 111-101 on Wednesday after leading most of the way. The Timberwolves scored the last 11 points and outscored visiting Detroit 31-16 in the fourth quarter.

“We had a lot of bad turnovers in that last portion of it and then defensively, we had some huge breakdowns,” coach Dwane Casey said.

Killian Hayes, the No. 7 pick of this year’s draft, was thrown into the fire. He committed four turnovers in 21 minutes, including back-to-back giveaways in the final quarter that led to a momentum shift.

“That’s also the mark of a young point guard. How do you close an NBA game?” Casey said. “The intensity level goes up, the ‘want-to’ goes up. Everything gets a little bit harder in those situations. It was a great learning experience for us as a group.”

Detroit had the biggest roster turnover of any team in the league and it showed in the late going. A pair of free agent acquisitions, Josh Jackson (team-high 19 points, six rebounds) and Mason Plumlee (14 points, eight rebounds, six assists) made auspicious debuts with the club.

“We’ve been together two weeks, 11 new faces,” Casey said. “There’s a lot of nuances we’re going to miss until we get to know each other.”

The teams split their four meetings last season. Cleveland big man Andre Drummond will be playing against his former team for the first time. The Pistons dealt him to the Cavaliers just prior to last February’s trade deadline.

The post CLEVELAND vs. DETROIT 12/26/2020 Odds, Picks & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

CLEVELAND vs NY JETS
When: 12/27/2020 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 10
PREDICTION: NY JETS , CLEVELAND

Oddsmakers currently have the NY JETS listed as 10 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 47.5.

The Cleveland Browns can take a huge step toward ending the NFL’s longest active playoff appearance drought on Sunday with a win against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J.

Cleveland (10-4) can lock up a playoff spot in the AFC with a win over the Jets, and a loss by any of three other AFC contenders: Baltimore, Miami or Indianapolis.

In addition, Cleveland sits just a game back of the suddenly slumping Steelers (11-3) in the AFC North and will host their biggest rivals in Week 17.

The Browns haven’t been in the playoffs since 2002, and the 10-win season is the team’s first since 2007. But first-year coach Kevin Stefanski said no one in the organization is looking past the Jets (1-13).

“Not for me,” Stefanski quipped when asked if his one-week-at-a-time approach will be tested more than usual this week. “This is the NFL. It’s not hard for me to explain what we’re in for.

“We know what we’re getting into.”

New York shocked the league last week with a 23-20 upset win at the Los Angeles Rams. Sam Darnold was solid, throwing for 207 yards and a touchdown while the Jets enjoyed a rare turnover-free day.

“It’s the greatest feeling in sports,” Darnold said after the Jets’ win.

But the victory came with consequences. The win moved New York out of the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft and, presumably, the right to snag Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Instead, the Jets are currently slotted with the No. 2 pick behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.

If that wasn’t enough to dull the positive vibes from the team’s first win of 2020, the club added standout defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (neck/concussion) and inside linebacker Harvey Langi (neck) to the Injured/Reserve list this week, effectively ending the season for both.

And Wednesday, the Jets placed tight end Ryan Griffin on the COVID-19/Reserve list.

“We’re running thin, those practice squad guys will get an opportunity this week,” Jets coach Adam Gase said. “We’ve got to put some pieces together.”

It’s not a task Gase and midseason replacement defensive coordinator Frank Bush will relish with a red-hot Cleveland offense coming in. The Browns rank third in the NFL in rushing offense (152.6 yards per game) and Baker Mayfield has stitched together a month of high-level play.

In Cleveland’s last four games, Mayfield is averaging 308 passing yards, with 10 touchdowns and one interception. The Browns have won four of their past five.

“(Mayfield) has been the same guy, every single day,” Stefanski said.

And while the Browns are plotting potential playoff scenarios, the Jets are pondering what could be a turbulent offseason. New York has to make a decision on Darnold, who’s about to enter the fourth year of his rookie contract, and that’s been complicated with losing the rights to draft Lawrence.

Gase, under contract for two more years, is also on the hot seat and may not be around for the next stage of the Jets’ rebuild, yet he claims he’s not feeling any added pressure. Gase said Wednesday he hasn’t had any discussions with CEO Christopher Johnson about his future in New York.

“Nothing I’m really worried about,” Gase said.

The Browns could be without two starters on Sunday as right guard Wyatt Teller (ankle) and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (neck) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Stefanski expected Richardson to be available, however, and the defense did see safety Andrew Sendejo (concussion) return to full practice.

Cleveland also designated a return from IR for safety Ronnie Harrison (shoulder), who has been out since Nov. 29.

Besides Williams, Langi, and Griffin, the Jets were missing cornerback Javelin Guidry (knee) from practice on Wednesday.

The post CLEVELAND vs. NY JETS 12/27/2020 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

CINCINNATI vs CLEVELAND
When: 9/17/2020 8:20 PM
Where:

TV: 8:20 PM
LINE: -7.5
PREDICTION: CLEVELAND , CINCINNATI

Oddsmakers currently have the CLEVELAND listed as -7.5 point favorites versus the CINCINNATI, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

The post CINCINNATI vs. CLEVELAND 9/17/2020 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

CLEVELAND vs BALTIMORE
When: 9/13/2020 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -9
PREDICTION: BALTIMORE , CLEVELAND

Oddsmakers currently have the BALTIMORE listed as -9 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 48.

The post CLEVELAND vs. BALTIMORE 9/13/2020 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

CLEVELAND vs PHILADELPHIA
When: 7:00 PM  ET, Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS Philadelphia
LINE: -10
PREDICTION: 76ers 109, Cavaliers 101

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as -10 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 219.

The Philadelphia 76ers put a disappointing road trip behind them by knocking off the Charlotte Hornets at home on Sunday and will try to stay undefeated in their own arena when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. The 76ers dropped the final three of a four-game trip by an average of 3.3 points but controlled the game at home on Sunday to improve to 3-0 in Philadelphia.

76ers center Joel Embiid missed the first two games of the road trip while serving a suspension for fighting with Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns and struggled with his shot in high-altitude losses at Utah and Denver but was on the mark Sunday. Embiid scored 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting after going a combined 11-of-33 from the floor against the Jazz and Nuggets. The Cavaliers are one of the few teams in the East that can match Philadelphia’s size up front with Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson in the frontcourt, but the team showed some growth on Sunday by earning a win while the two struggled. Cleveland is developing a young backcourt and continues to get inspired performances from youngsters Collin Sexton and Darius Garland.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (4-5): Sexton took control against the New York Knicks on Sunday and scored a season-high 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, but it was his defensive effort that stuck out to coach John Beilein. “I love the way he attacks the basket, but I think what’s being underrated here is his growth from last year to this year on his defense,” Beilein told reporters of Sexton. “You can see he’ll still make a mistake every now and then – everybody does – but for the most part, he’s an athlete who should become a very good defender.” Sunday marked the best defensive effort overall for the Cavaliers, who held the Knicks to 36 percent from the floor while allowing a season low in points.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (6-3): All-Star point guard Ben Simmons suffered a shoulder injury in Utah and sat out the last two games, but Philadelphia found a combination that worked in that spot on Sunday. Raul Neto started and delivered nine points and four assists in 29 minutes while Trey Burke came off the bench and added 12 points, five rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes. Burke was part of a solid effort from the reserves that included 17 points from Furkan Korkmaz, who scored in double figures in five of the last six contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. 76ers SG Josh Richardson is 4-of-8 from 3-point range over the last two games after going 4-of-16 over the previous three contests.

2. Cleveland PG Jordan Clarkson is 3-of-16 from beyond the arc over his last three games.

3. Philadelphia took five of the last six in the series.

PREDICTION: 76ers 109, Cavaliers 101

The post CLEVELAND vs PHILADELPHIA 11/12/2019 Odds, Picks & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

CLEVELAND vs NY JETS
When: 8:15 PM ET, Monday, September 16, 2019
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

TV: 8:15 PM
LINE: 2.5
PREDICTION: NY JETS , CLEVELAND

Oddsmakers currently have the NY JETS listed as 2.5 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

The post CLEVELAND vs. NY JETS 9/16/2019 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

TENNESSEE vs CLEVELAND
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 8, 2019
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Browns -5.5.
O/U: 45.5
PREDICTION: Browns 27, Titans 17

Oddsmakers currently have the CLEVELAND listed as -5.5 point favorites versus the TENNESSEE, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.5.

Expectations for the Cleveland Browns are the highest they have been in decades after a promising finish to 2018 and a strong offseason. The Browns will begin trying to live up to those expectations when they host the Tennessee Titans in the season opener on Sunday.

Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield is trying to follow up a stellar rookie campaign and has plenty of weapons at his disposal with star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. joining the team in the offseason and combining with Jarvis Landry on the outside and Nick Chubb in the backfield. “Nobody has done anything yet, so I would say everybody is starting from the same square one,” Mayfield told reporters. “I would say it is pretty hard to live up to any hype if you are listening to the outside. None of that really matters, so I think we have a bunch of guys who have bought in to what is going on in this building and the standards we are setting. To us, that is all that matters.” The Titans won four straight games to put themselves in position to compete for a playoff spot last season before dropping the season finale to the Indianapolis Colts and missing out by one game. Starting quarterback Marcus Mariota missed that meeting with the Colts with an injury and is focused on staying healthy as he nears a potential contract extension, but the team brought in veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill to serve as the backup just in case the injury bug strikes.

ABOUT THE TITANS (2018: 9-7, THIRD IN AFC SOUTH): Mariota has yet to start 16 games in a season and totaled 24 touchdown passes and 23 interceptions over the last two campaigns. “I have been dinged, I have been banged up, and I understand that,” Mariota told reporters. “I just have to do my job to be available for this team and hopefully throughout the year that will happen.” Tennessee made several moves in an effort to upgrade the protection around Mariota, giving a $44 million contract to free agent left guard Rodger Saffold and drafting guard Nate Davis in the third round.

ABOUT THE BROWNS (2018: 7-8-1, THIRD IN AFC NORTH): Mayfield led Cleveland to a 5-2 record over the final seven games last season and finished with 3,725 passing yards and 27 touchdown passes in 14 games, and he is looking forward to bringing Beckham into the offensive fold. “Very excited to see what we can do, what we are capable of doing out there and adjusting off what they are doing,” Mayfield told reporters. “Seeing if we can take care of some one on ones throughout the field.” Freddie Kitchens served as the offensive coordinator in 2018 and was promoted to head coach in the offseason but is expected to continue calling offensive plays.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Browns WR Antonio Calloway will sit out the first four games for violating the NFL’s drug policy and RB Kareem Hunt will serve an eight-game suspension for violating the personal conduct policy.

2. Titans LT Taylor Lewan will serve a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy.

3. Tennessee won the last two meetings – in 2016 and 2017 – by a total of five points.

The post TENNESSEE vs. CLEVELAND 9/8/2019 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

CLEVELAND vs BOSTON
GAME: Cleveland Indians (26-27) at Boston Red Sox (29-25)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 28 – 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)
LINE: -185
PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Indians 3

Oddsmakers currently have the BOSTON listed as -185 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.5.

Slugger J.D. Martinez looks to continue his success against Cleveland pitching when the Boston Red Sox host the stumbling Indians for the second of a three-game set Tuesday night. Martinez entered the series 1-for-14 in his previous five games overall but launched two solo homers in Monday’s 12-5 victory to push his career totals to 20 blasts and 56 RBIs against the Indians – both the most against any team in the majors.

The reigning World Series champion Red Sox are 18-8 in their last 26 contests after a slow start to the season, and 22-year-old third baseman Rafael Devers is playing a big role with an eight-game hitting streak in which he is 15-for-36 with four homers to raise his batting average from .307 to .327. Left-hander David Price, who has been slowed by illness recently, is slated to take the mound for Boston (29-25) in Tuesday’s contest, while right-hander Zach Plesac makes his major-league debut for Cleveland. The Indians tumbled under the .500 mark (26-27) after losing for the seventh time in eight games Tuesday and dropped 2 1/2 games out in the American League wild-card race. One of the bright spots for Cleveland during a rough stretch has been the play of rookie outfielder Oscar Mercado, who had two hits Monday and is 10-for-31 with a homer, four RBIs and nine runs scored in his first 10 major-league contests.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Zach Plesac (NR) vs. Red Sox LH David Price (2-2, 3.24 ERA)

Plesac, the nephew of former major-league relief pitcher Dan Plesac, was drafted in the 12th round out of Ball State in 2016 and is 16-9 with a 2.99 ERA in 49 minor-league games (48 starts). The 24-year-old is a combined 4-1 with a 1.41 ERA in nine starts at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus this year to earn his first chance with the Indians. Plesac struck out 22 and walked just one over 20 innings in his last three starts with Columbus.

Price threw just 15 pitches to three batters on Saturday against Houston before manager Alex Cora pulled the 33-year-old, who was still struggling with flu-like symptoms. The Vanderbilt product has limited opponents to three or fewer runs in each of his last five full starts, beating Toronto after permitting two unearned runs over five innings on May 20. Carlos Santana is 11-for-34 with four doubles versus Price, who is 11-2 with a 2.06 ERA in 15 career starts against Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis had two hits Monday and has reached base safely in 21 of his last 22 contests.

2. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia, the AL MVP in 2008, announced Monday he is taking an indefinite leave as he deals with a lingering knee injury.

3. The Indians have been outscored 50-24 over the last eight games and are 14th in the AL in runs scored (203).

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Indians 3

The post CLEVELAND vs. BOSTON 5/28/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

CLEVELAND vs BOSTON
GAME: Cleveland Indians (26-26) at Boston Red Sox (28-25)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 27 – 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, STO (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)
LINE: -185
PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Indians 4

Oddsmakers currently have the BOSTON listed as -185 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.5.

The Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians expected to be at or near the top of their respective divisions around Memorial Day, but both are lagging behind. The Red Sox will try to take advantage of the slumping Indians when they host the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

Boston, which avoided a three-game sweep at Houston with a 4-1 win on Sunday, enters the final week of May 6 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East with a four-game series in the Bronx looming next weekend. The Red Sox grabbed the win on Sunday behind a two-hit day from third baseman Rafael Devers, who homered for the fourth time in the last six games and lifted his team-best batting average to .330. Cleveland dropped six of its last seven games and finished off a frustrating 11-game homestand with a 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday that dropped it to 10 games behind the surprising Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. The Indians will try not to lose any more ground behind right-hander Jefry Rodriguez on Monday while Boston sends righty Rick Porcello to the mound.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Jefry Rodriguez (1-4, 4.08 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (3-4, 4.45)

Rodriguez is coming off his roughest start of the young season after allowing the Oakland Athletics five runs – four earned – on seven hits and a season-high four walks in a season-low four innings. The 25-year-old Dominican worked at least six innings in each of his previous four outings. Rodriguez, who received a total three runs of support in his four losses, is making his first career appearance against Boston.

Porcello turned in a quality start for the fifth time in his last six outings when he held the Toronto Blue Jays to one run on three hits in six innings Wednesday but was held out of the decision after watching the bullpen squander a lead. The New Jersey native was pulled after 80 pitches against the Blue Jays and did not walk a batter while striking out four. Porcello made a pair of starts against Cleveland last season and went 0-1 while allowing a total of nine runs – eight earned – and 14 hits in 12 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox LHP David Price (illness) left his start after 15 pitches on Saturday and could be moved up in the rotation to start Tuesday or Wednesday.

2. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez went 0-for-3 with a strikeout on Sunday, dropping his batting average to .197.

3. Boston UTL Brock Holt (eye, shoulder) is expected to be activated off the IL on Monday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Indians 4

The post CLEVELAND vs. BOSTON 5/27/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

TAMPA BAY vs CLEVELAND
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (30-19) at Cleveland Indians (26-25)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 26 – 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), STO (Cleveland)
LINE:
PREDICTION: Indians 4, Rays 3

Oddsmakers currently have the CLEVELAND listed as point favorites versus the TAMPA BAY, while the game’s total is sitting at .

Rookie Brandon Lowe responded to a four-strikeout performance with a big offensive effort and hopes to build on that when the Tampa Bay Rays go for a series victory Sunday afternoon against the host Cleveland Indians. Lowe, who leads the team with 11 homers and 30 RBIs, had a run-scoring double to go along with a solo blast and a walk in Saturday’s 6-2 victory as the Rays won for the 17th time in 25 road games.

“He’s as good as anybody at staying consistent with his mind,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash told reporters of Lowe. “. … He’s knows he’s a good hitter and he knows when he gets some pitches to hit, more times than not he’s caught them this year. The other night, he was pitched tough and you kinda just move on. … He doesn’t change his approach. It is was it is and he does a good job of making sure he’s ready to hit to his strengths.” Ryne Stanek will take the ball as the opener for the Rays in the series finale, expected to be followed by Jalen Beeks, and Trevor Bauer tries to recapture his top form when he takes the mound for Cleveland. The Indians dropped five of their last six contests – winning 3-1 on Friday – and have managed just 15 hits combined in the first three games of the series after striking out 12 times Saturday. Cleveland’s Carlos Santana saw his 10-game walk streak come to an end Saturday, but went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, while All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor looks to rebound after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout, an error and getting picked off first base.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Ryne Stanek (0-1, 3.38 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (4-3, 3.95)

Stanek has had success in the opener role, allowing four runs on 11 hits and four walks with 23 strikeouts across 20 1/3 innings in 13 starts. The 27-year-old did not give up a run over 1 2/3 innings in his last start Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and retired two batters in relief Thursday against the Indians. Beeks would be coming off his worst performance of the season, after permitting five runs over 4 2/3 innings against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Bauer is winless in four starts this month after winning four times and posting a 2.45 ERA during his first seven outings of the season. The 28-year-old UCLA product gave up four runs on four hits and four walks in a 5-3 loss to Oakland on after permitting 17 runs across 17 frames in the previous three. Avisail Garcia is 9-for-28 with a pair of homers against Bauer, who is 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA in three career games (two starts) versus Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland LHP Josh Smith struck out three and did not give up a run over 1 2/3 innings in his major league debut Saturday after being recalled.

2. Tampa Bay LF Tommy Pham has hit safely in 11 straight games after belting a two-run homer among two hits Saturday.

3. Indians 2B Jason Kipnis went 0-for-4 on Saturday to end his on-base streak one game shy of matching his career high of 20.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Rays 3

The post TAMPA BAY vs. CLEVELAND 5/26/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.