The Cleveland Indians will host the Houston Astros for a four-game set at Progressive Field set to begin on Thursday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make an Astros – Indians prediction and pick.
Houston has been one of the hottest teams in the league lately but just suffered one of the most miserable series' of their season. The Astros were just swept by the Baltimore Orioles in Houston. They will certainly be hungry to bounce back in a big way against a much better Indians squad. Cleveland has had their fair share of struggles, losing five of their last seven games coming into this series.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Astros-Indians odds.
MLB Odds: Astros-Indians Odds
Houston Astros -1.5 (-110)
Cleveland Indians +1.5 (-110)
Over 8.5 Runs (-113)
Under 8.5 Runs (-107)
Why The Astros Could Cover The Spread
The Houston Astros looked like a club that couldn't be beaten over the past few weeks as they were putting up double-digit runs regularly. Then Baltimore pulled up to Minute Maid Park to open this week and absolutely handed it to the surging Astros. The Orioles outscored the Astros by 15 runs over the recent three-game series. Houston is now 48-33 on the season with a half-game lead over the Athletics in the AL West.
Houston has been the best offensive club in all of baseball and it isn't even close. The Astros are currently scoring 5.60 runs per game, which is the best mark in the league by a mile. Their ability to hit the long ball and limit the strikeouts makes them an absolute juggernaut at the plate. Houston's offense has actually been better on the road as they average close to six runs per game when playing away from home.
The Astros will hand the ball to left-hander Framber Valdez for the series opener. Valdez will look to continue his strong season as he enters with a 4-1 record and 2.11 ERA through six starts. The southpaw will look to bounce back from a loss in his last start against the Tigers. He has allowed just one run in four of his first six starts to open the year.
Why The Indians Could Cover The Spread
The Cleveland Indians have been on a roller coaster ride this season and it's headed for a big drop right now. The Indians have lost five of their last seven games, including consecutive series losses against the Tigers and the Twins. They have allowed allowed at least seven runs in four of their last five games to date as well. Despite the recent struggles, Cleveland is 42-35 and just four games back of the White Sox in the AL Central.
Cleveland's offense has been up-and-down for most of the season and especially of late. They are now averaging 4.38 runs per game this season, which is the 14th-best mark in the Majors. Their offense has been slightly better at home as they've plated 4.61 runs per game at Progressive Field. Some key injuries in their lineup will make it tough for them to compete with the Astros offensively, which will put more of an emphasis on this pitching staff heading into this series.
Cleveland will turn to right-hander J.C. Mejia for the series opener. Mejia will look to improve on his 1-2 record and 4.94 ERA in his sixth start of the season. The big right-hander has done a solid job of keeping his club in ballgames in his first Major League season. He tossed six innings of one-run ball against the Twins his last time out. Mejia will look to replicate that impressive performance against the Astros' lethal lineup.
Final Astros – Indians Prediction & Pick
Although the Houston Astros just suffered their worst three losses of the season, I expect them to bounce back with a clean slate. They have a few key injuries, but have still been hitting the ball well. The pitching will almost certainly improve during this series and it starts with Framber Valdez, who has been very impressive this season. J.C. Mejia is definitely in for his toughest test as a starter and the Astros experienced lineup should jump all over the young right-hander.
FINAL PICK: Houston Astros ML (-168)
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