The Houston Astros will be squaring off against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. This AL showdown can be viewed across the country on Fox and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Indians Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Houston (-115) as the favorite over Cleveland (+105). Bettors can gamble on the games total with odds listed at even money (+100) for over 8 runs and -120 for under 8. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the current runline odds sitting at Astros -1.5 runs (+130) and Indians +1.5 runs (-150).
The Indians are 24-25 SU and 20-28 ATS. The team has lost 10.3 units for moneyline bettors and 11.8 units against the spread (ATS). Cleveland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Astros have gone 34-18 SU this year and are 29-22 ATS. Overall, the teams gained 1.6 units for moneyline bettors in this young season and 5.3 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Cleveland games have an over/under record of 25-22-1 so far in 2018. Houston has been a good under bet with a total record of 17-31-3.
The right-handed Lance McCullers Jr. is projected to start for Houston. McCullers Jr. is 6-2 with a 3.20 ERA and 66 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with eight strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Cleveland this year.
The Indians are sending righty Carlos Carrasco (5-3, 3.65 ERA) to the mound. Carrasco has 63 strikeouts and 14 walks to his name, as well as a 1.06 WHIP. Carrasco is 0-1 with six strikeouts and a 3.52 ERA against Houston this year.
Houston’s pitchers have allowed 2.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 2.28 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 10.52 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 2.63, along with a K/9 of 9.86.
Astros hitters have slashed .260/.337/.418 on their way to 4.9 runs scored per game this season, including 5.3 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 7.4 per game over the teams last five outings (5-0 SU).
Second baseman Jose Altuve and outfielder George Springer continue to lead Houston’s hitters. Altuve is slashing .308/.358/.412 with 65 hits, 24 RBIs and 27 runs scored, while Springer is hitting .305 with 62 hits, 11 homers, 34 RBIs and 40 runs scored.
Altuve performed well against righty pitching on the road last season. Across 248 such plate appearances, he maintained a slash line of .393/.460/.680 (compared to his total season line of .345/.409/.547).
For the home team, Cleveland’s pitchers have given up 4.4 runs per game overall this year. The teams starters have an ERA of 3.30, a WHIP of 1.11 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 6.23 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 9.1 K/9.
The Cleveland offense is putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 3.9 per game over its last 10 games and 3.2 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .240/.314/.317 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor and third baseman Jose Ramirez have led the Indians’ offense so far. Lindor is slashing .299/.374/.559 with 12 home runs, 27 RBIs, 39 runs and five steals, while Ramirez line is .294/.389/.599 with 14 homers, 35 RBIs, 31 runs and seven stolen bases.
The Astros have gained 4.1 units and are 20-14 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 11 of those games, compared to 21 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Indians have lost 12.4 units and are 11-19 ATS when facing a righty starter. The overs hit in 15 of those games, compared to 14 that went under the total.
Houston Astros at Cleveland Indians MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Indians, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The Astros have won eight of their last nine games SU.
- Houston has recorded 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 29.4 over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Indians have hit eight over their last 10.
