Indians vs. Astros Pick
Can the Cleveland Indians complete an improbable sweep of the Houston Astros in Houston when the two meet up today at 2:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Astros are the slight favorite at home today, as they are getting odds of -115 to win. The Indians are listed with a money line of +105, while the over/under total for the game is set at 8 runs.
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Today’s pitching matchup features Danny Salazar (2-4, 5.66 ERA) on the mound for the Indians to face Joe Musgrove (3-3, 4.57) of the Astros. Musgrove has shown improved outings over the last few weeks. He has held three of his last four opponents to just two earned runs or less. He has 33 strikeouts on the season with 14 walks and a WHIP of 1.41. Salazar has struggled lately, giving up five earned runs in his last two starts. He has 62 strikeouts this season, but also has 20 walks. He has a WHIP of 1.57 this season.
Cleveland took the series opener, 5-3, on Friday night and then followed that up with a 3-0 win on Saturday. The Indians have now won four of five meetings with the Astros this season. Cleveland comes into today’s game at 22-19 overall and 14-9 on the road. Houston holds a 29-14 record overall and 14-8 mark at home.
The Indians rode a great start from Mike Clevinger on Saturday. He pitched seven innings, allowing just two hits with eight strikeouts. Cody Allen and Andrew Miller added two scoreless innings in relief. Lonnie Chisenhall had another big game in this series, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and another home run. Michael Brantley added two hits as well.
I wouldn’t have thought the Indians could sweep Houston on the road this weekend, but maybe there is something to this matchup. Cleveland has had the Astros number, winning five of the last six overall and seven of the last 10 meetings in Houston. Cleveland has also won 10 of its last 12 against the AL West. Houston is just 1-4 in Musgrove’s last five home starts and they are 2-7 in their last 9 against the AL Central. With Cleveland as the slight dog once again, why not ride the hot team?
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND INDIANS +105