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GOODYEAR Babe Ruth Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — bats from last year’s lineup. They hope Jake Bauers brought one from Tampa.Bauers, who came over in a December trade with the Rays, is being counted on to help fill the power void left with the departures of sluggers Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso in trades and the Indians’ decision not to re-sign All-Star Michael Brantley as a free agent.As the three-time defending AL Central champions contend with unusually chilly and wet weather that has dumped an inch of rain on this arid area the past two days — significant for a region that typically only gets about eight inches a year — the 23-year-old Bauers has been getting in work to make sure he sprays the ball around this season.“I’m trying to use the whole field again, trying to stay left center-center field and open everything up as opposed to just kind of pulling the ball too much,” said Bauers, who batted .201 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs in 96 games after being brought up by the Rays last season.This year, Bauers is optimistic he can make an impact in all facets of the game.“Getting on base, maybe taking the extra base when I can, driving in runs, basically just doing whatever the situation calls for,” the easygoing Bauers said while sipping coffee in the clubhouse on Friday. “I think that’s what I was taught at a young age and it’s something I’m fairly good at.”Bauers can play first base and he’ll be one of several candidates to get a shot in a crowded outfield, a topic he discussed in a recent meeting with Indians manager Terry Francona.“We talked a lot about playing first base or left field and what the mix is going to be like http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authent ... kis-jersey ,” said Bauers, who spends down time during camp hiking with his 9-month-old Golden Retriever-Cocker Spaniel mix, Praxton. “They just have some things to figure out. I’m sure as we get deeper into the spring, we’ll sort that all out.”Bauers has displayed versatility, so what’s his biggest strength?With eyebrows raised, the self-proclaimed bad surfer from Huntington Beach, California, took in the question along with a deep breath.“Knowing how to win,” he said after a short pause. “I think that’s an underrated thing in today’s game. I think the things you can’t put on paper aren’t valued as much as they could be.”Bauers could also help the Indians in another vital area. The loss of Brantley, starter Josh Tomlin, All-Star catcher Yan Gomes and closer Cody Allen has created a vacuum in the clubhouse and dugout.“We’ve lost some guys that had terrific leadership qualities,” Francona said. “Guys like Tomlin Freddie Freeman Jersey , Brantley, there’s no getting around that. We don’t need to anoint leaders. The best way to lead is by example.”If Bauers can produce offensively the way he did for the Rays after his call-up last June, he’ll be leading in no time.Bauers batted .252 with five home runs in his first 36 games last season before the All-Star break. His numbers dipped toward the end of 2018, but the potential is evident.He’s eager to show his new teammates what he can do, and anxious to start at first when the Indians open their Cactus League season on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.“I think I got those excited butterflies when I think about it,” said Bauers, who will bat second.NOTES: Bench coach Brad Mills pulled a fast one on Francona. With the help of general manager Mike Chernoff, Mills orchestrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the USS Tito, a makeshift wooden boat that was constructed outside the Indians’ complex. The Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy, Thomas Modly, was flown in for the event and took pictures with Francona, who was given his own captain’s hat. Asked for remarks upon receiving his ship http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authent ... kis-jersey , Francona chuckled, “I’m humiliated.” … Adam Plutko will start Cleveland’s opener against Cincinnati. For the Reds, Tanner Roark fills in for Sonny Gray, who was scratched with elbow stiffness. A rematch of the 2017 World Series will kick off Friday at Chavez Ravine, with the Los Angeles Dodgers (61-49) hosting the defending champion Houston Astros (69-41) in a pick'em interleague matchup at the sportsbooks. Houston split four meetings at Los Angeles in October en route to winning it all, including Game 7. MLB betting line: The Astros opened as -120 favorites (wager $120 to win $100); the total is at seven runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.Line updates and matchup report.MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 2.8-1.5, Dodgers.MLB picks on every game.Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.Why the AstrosCan Pay on the MLB LinesThe Astros enter this series on a two-game winning streak after suffering through a season-high five-game skid. Justin Verlander (10-6, 2.24 ERA) will get the call in the opener, and he pitched fairly well against the Dodgers in two World Series starts. The 35-year-old allowed five runs and five hits in 12 innings but did not earn a win after going 4-0 in his first four postseason outings a year ago.Verlander has split his past two starts overall despite giving up a combined two runs and 14 hits in 11 innings of work. Why the DodgersCan Pay on the MLB LinesLos Angeles is hoping Alex Wood (7-5 Bob Uecker Jersey , 3.68 ERA) can continue his hot streak on the mound opposite Verlander after going 6-0 in eight starts since June 9. Wood has posted similar numbers to Verlander in his past two outings, surrendering a total of two runs and six hits in 11.2 innings. However, he was outstanding last time out on the road against the Atlanta Braves, throwing 5.2 scoreless innings and allowing only one hit in a 5-1 victory.The southpaw made two appearances in the World Series, pitching two scoreless and hitless innings with no walks and three strikeouts to close out Game 7 after he gave up one run and one hit in 5.2 innings during a Game 4 win at Houston as his team tied it up 2-2.Smart Betting PickAfter a tough four-game series versus the Milwaukee Brewers, things do not get any easier for the Dodgers against the Astros. However, Wood is in much better form than Verlander, who might be a bit overvalued here as the bigger name.Los Angeles has also gone an impressive 21-9 in its last 30 interleague games, according to the OddsShark MLB Database. Look for Wood to run his personal winning streak to seven, with the Dodgers exacting some revenge at what seems to be a reasonable price.MLB Betting TrendsHouston is 2-5 in its past seven games.The total has gone under in eight of Houston's past 11 games on the road.Los Angeles is 8-3 in its past 11 games at home.All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.