The Cleveland Indians are squaring off against the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series. The Astros currently own a 1-0 series lead, and the showdown will be televised on TBS. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:37 p.m. ET.
Cleveland Indians at Houston Astros Odds
Including the regular season, the Astros are 104-59 straight up (SU) and 83-79 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t strayed too far from expectations, losing 2.7 units for moneyline bettors and 5.6 units (ATS). The Indians have gone 91-72 SU this year and are 76-86 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 24.5 units for moneyline gamblers and 22.1 units ATS.
Houston games have an over/under record of 70-84-8 in 2018. Indians games have gone over 77 times, gone under 75 times and pushed on 10 instances.
Carlos Carrasco is getting the start for the visiting Indians. The right-handed Carrasco (17-10, 3.38 ERA) has racked up 231 strikeouts in 192 innings so far. He’s 1-1 with 14 strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA against Houston this year (two starts).
The Astros are putting the ball in the hands of righty Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.88 ERA), who’s got 276 strikeouts and 64 walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.03. Cole is 0-0 with eight strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA in one start against Cleveland this year.
As a unit, Houston’s pitching staff has given up 3.3 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have a 3.16 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 3.00, a WHIP of 1.05 and a K/9 of 10.5.
The Houston hitters have put up 4.9 runs per contest, including 4.4 per game over its last 10 games and 3.6 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .231/.313/.444 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve have led the Astros’ batters this year. Bregman is hitting .288/.396/.538 with 32 home runs, 105 RBIs and 106 runs scored, and Altuve is batting .316 with 14 homers, 62 RBIs, 85 runs and 17 stolen bases.
In the visiting dugout, Cleveland’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.41 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 9.63 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.63, along with a K-per-9 of 9.23.
The Indians offense has slashed .258/.333/.433 on its way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Cleveland’s offensive production has been powered by shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Michael Brantley, who collectively have blasted 55 home runs. Lindor is hitting .277/.351/.517 with 38 home runs, 92 RBIs, 130 runs and 25 steals. Brantley (.309/.365/.468) is up to 17 homers, 76 RBIs and 89 runs scored.
The Astros took the previous game in this series by a score of seven runs to two.
Cleveland Indians vs. Houston Astros Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Indians, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
Each offenses has logged 14 extra-base hits over its last five games.
The Indians have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 15 over their last 10.
Cleveland has averaged 25.6 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 outings and 22.6 over its last five.
The Astros have won four of their last five games SU.
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