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Cleveland Indians vs Houston Astros Game Preview and Pick

Corey Kluber (3-9, 3.64 ERA) and Vincent Velasquez (0-0, 4.21 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a four-game series between the Cleveland Indians (38-44) and the Houston Astros (49-36) at Progressive Field. The Astros won the last game 9-4 and Houston leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jul. 7 and can be seen on ROOT-SW and STO.

Kluber pitched 8.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs (one unearned), striking out 14 and walking one in a 5-4 defeat to the Rays. Jason Kipnis (.340, 56 Rs, 6 HRs, 36 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI. Velasquez went 6.1 innings, surrendering four runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 6-5 defeat to the Royals in his most recent start. Jose Altuve (.303, 43 Rs, 7 HRs, 36 RBIs, 24 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Astros, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.

This one isn’t expected to be close when Cleveland, a big -184 favorite, takes on Houston. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at seven runs for this matchup. The Indians have an overall money line of -1,399 and a record as the favorite of 25-27. Cleveland is unbeaten as the favorite and has a 5-5 SU record in its last ten outings. Cleveland leads the whole AL in walks at home, earning an average of 4.0 per game. Cleveland’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 3.2 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.3. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Indians, who lead the AL in strikeouts per game with 9.2.

In games where it is the underdog, Houston has a 24-18 record and an overall money line of +969. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 1-3 record, and a 6-4 record SU. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is second in the AL. The Astros are tough outs for opponents, ranking third in the AL with 9.0 hits per road game. The Astros are an excellent base stealing team with 68 stolen bases, ranking third in the MLB. Houston’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL at pitching on the road, with a 3.80 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Astros are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.20 for the season.

The Indians have a 26-24 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Velasquez takes the mound. Kluber (RHP) will be on the hill against the Astros, who have a 31-19 record against right-handed starting pitchers.

Predictions: SU Winner – CLE, O/U – Over

Notes

The Astros are 4-3 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Indians are 2-2 in such matchups.

The Astros are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 11 strikeouts. The Indians have a record of 5-5 when they are struck out that many times or more.

When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 35-9. The Indians have a 31-6 record when outhitting opponents.

Ranking 20th, Cleveland is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 329 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at second with 388.

Ranking seventh, Houston is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 264 this season. Cleveland ranks in the top five at second with 293.

The Indians are 30-17 when they hit at least one home run. The Astros perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 39-21 record.

Written by GMS Previews

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