CLEVELAND INDIANS +135 - With all due respect to Benson, I just don?t think there is all that much of a difference between tonight?s starting pitchers to warrant the lowly Pirates being such a big favorite. While neither hurler is having a good year, the young left-hander Traber actually has the lower ERA at 4.57. Looking at just the last 3 starts, Traber has a high 5.79 ERA and 1.79 ratio, but Benson has been even worse, with a 10.47 ERA and 1.96 ratio! Should the bullpens be called in early, which is a distinct possibility, Cleveland would appear to have a sizable advantage. The Indians? available pen has a group ERA 3.94 with a very good 1.20 ratio, while Pittsburgh?s available pen has a 5.93 ERA and a poor 1.51 ratio. Also, Pittsburgh as a team is just 12-22 in their own ballpark this season, averaging just 3.38 runs per home game. Throw in the fact that the Pirates are hitting just .225 vs. southpaws at home, and it appears to me that the Tribe offers some excellent value at this price.
