Cleveland at Los Angeles

Don't look now but Cleveland is suddenly in contention for the best record in baseball and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Tribe is just one game back of the Angels, and only 2.5 behind Boston. The Indians are a red-hot team right now winning 11 of 12. Paul Byrd gets the start for Cleveland and the Indians are 11-3 in Byrd's last 14 starts. He comes in pitching his best, as he pitched a complete game shutout in his last start, and has a 3-0 mark against the Angels over his career. Kelvim Escobar has struggled for the Angels. He lasted less than three innings vs. the Rangers, and carries an ERA of close to 6 in his last three starts. Escobar went 19 starts with his walk total reaching 4 just once. Over his last six starts, it has reached 4 on three separate occasions, and his command has been off. Esobar has walked 19 in his last 36 innings, and that is not condusive to beating a hot team. We like the Tribe to take the opener here.