The Houston Astros are seeking their fourth straight win as they play host to the Cleveland Indians at Minute Maid Park. This AL matchup will begin at 4:10 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to SportsTime Ohio.
Cleveland Indians vs. Houston Astros Odds
Houston (-115) is the favorite against Cleveland (+105) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this afternoon game at 7 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total stand at -110 for both the over and the under. You can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at -200 for the Indians +1.5 runs and +170 for the Astros -1.5.
The Astros are 29-17 SU and 24-21 ATS. The team’s lost 2.2 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 0.3 units against the spread (ATS). Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven. The Indians have gone 21-22 SU this year and are 17-25 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 10.9 units for moneyline bettors over the early portions of the season and 10.7 units ATS. Cleveland’s covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Houston games have an over/under record of 14-28-3 so far in 2018. Cleveland has an over/under record of 22-19-1.
Right-hander Corey Kluber is getting the start for the visiting Indians. Kluber is 6-2 with a 2.34 ERA and 61 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Astros this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (1-0, 3.86 ERA and 10 strikeouts over seven innings).
The Astros will turn to lefty Dallas Keuchel (3-5, 3.10 ERA), who has 45 strikeouts and 15 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.10. Keuchel only made one start against the Indians in 2017 (1-0, 2.00 ERA and five strikeouts across nine innings).
As a unit, Houston’s pitching staff has given up 2.5 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 2.22, a WHIP of 0.94 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.6. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.89, a WHIP of 1.07 and a K/9 of 10.0.
Houston’s hitters are putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 4.8 per game over its last 10 games and 3.6 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .230/.287/.360 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Astros’ offense has been led by shortstop Carlos Correa and right fielder George Springer. Correa is hitting .282/.374/.494 with seven home runs, 29 RBIs and 27 runs scored, while Springer is batting .294 with nine homers, 28 RBIs and 34 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Cleveland’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.44 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 8.32 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.68, along with a WHIP of 1.09.
Indians hitters have slashed .249/.319/.435 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game this year, including 5.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Third baseman Jose Ramirez and shortstop Francisco Lindor have led Cleveland’s hitters. Ramirez is slashing .295/.384/.608 with 13 home runs, 30 RBIs, 28 runs and six steals, while Lindor (.306/.379/.583) has produced 12 homers, 27 RBIs, 36 runs and five stolen bases.
Ramirez performed well against lefty pitching on the road in 2017. Across 126 such plate appearances, he put up a slash line of .356/.397/.695 (his total season line was .318/.374/.583).
The Indians have lost 0.5 units and are 7-9 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in nine of those games, compared to seven that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 1.3 units and are 16-13 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in nine of those games, as opposed to 18 which went under the total.
Cleveland Indians vs. Houston Astros Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Indians, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Indians have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 13 over their last 10.
Cleveland has recorded 23.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 27.0 over its last five.
The Astros have won five of their last six games SU.
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