This is a 10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the UNDER Indians/Red Sox.

Two teams in need of a victory collide here on Monday night. Cleveland won the first two games of a four-game series against the White Sox over the weekend, but it lost the final two, including yesterday's contest by a score of 6-3.

The Guardians come to Boston having seen the total go OVER the number in six straight, which is significant to note in our case, as Cleveland has seen the total go UNDER the number in six of its last eight after playing to five or more straight OVERS in a row.

Boston has now lost five straight and nine of its last ten after losing three straight to the Blue Jays over the weekend at thome. That includes a 28-5 loss in the first game. The Red Sox have seen the total go OVER the number eight of their last 11 after yesterday's loss.

Both starters have been better than what their win/loss records would indicate. Zach Plesac who is 2-7 for the Guardians, owns a respectable 4.02 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.

Nick Pivetta is just 8-7 for the Red Sox, but sports a 4.50 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.

The overall situation, and the numbers/trends all point to Monday's contest finally being a "duel." The play is the UNDER.

Good luck, NP