Mike Fiers (2-1, 5.35 ERA) and Corey Kluber (2-3, 3.35 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (12-20) and the Cleveland Indians (15-13) at Minute Maid Park. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 9 and can be seen on STOh and RTSW.
Fiers pitched 4.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs, striking out four and walking one in a 16-4 win over the Twins. Jose Altuve (.325, 30 Rs, 9 HRs, 19 RBIs, 13 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs and three stolen bases. Kluber went 9.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out seven and walking two in a 4-0 win over the Tigers in his most recent start. Mike Napoli (.232, 17 Rs, 6 HRs, 20 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
The odds for Houston and Cleveland are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. The Astros have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Houston leads the MLB in steals, swiping 27 bases. Houston’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. The Astros are the third-best team in the AL at limiting walks during home games, allowing only 2.0 walks per game to their opponents this season.
Offensively, the Indians have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Indians allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Indians are second in the AL on the road with an average of 6.4 hits allowed per away game.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Cleveland is 6-3, while Houston is 4-9.
The Indians are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Astros have a 0-2 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 8-3. The Indians have a 9-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 21st, Cleveland sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 124 this season. Houston ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 132.
Ranking 20th, Cleveland is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 89 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at fourth with 123.
When the Astros hit at least one home run, they are 10-15. When the Indians hit at least one homer, they have an 8-8 record.
