The Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros will open a three-game series at Minute Maid Park on Monday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make an Indians – Astros prediction and pick.

Houston will be looking to get back on track as they've lost five of their last seven games to date. Cleveland, on the other hand, has been red hot with wins in five of their last six games coming in. The Astros currently have a 3.5-game lead in the AL West standings and the Indians are 3.5 games back of the Oakland Athletics for the second wild card spot.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Indians-Astros odds.

MLB Odds: Indians-Astros Odds

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Cleveland Indians +1.5 (-110)

Houston Astros -1.5 (-110)

Over 9 Runs (-104)

Under 9 Runs (-116)

Why The Indians Could Cover The Spread

The Cleveland Indians have gone through a roller-coaster season that sees them on a current climb. They have won five of their last six after a dreadful nine-game losing streak before the break. The Indians are eight games back of the White Sox in the AL Central, but just 3.5 games back of the A's in the wild card. Cleveland has been far less productive with a -0.45 average run differential in road games this season. The Indians will need more consistency from their pitching staff and a huge showing from Jose Ramirez in the second half if they hope to reach the postseason in 2021.

Cleveland will turn to right-hander J.C. Mejia for the series opener. Mejia has been horrible this season with a 1-4 record and 7.42 ERA through 10 appearances and seven starts. He has a 8.88 ERA in his first seven starts of the season, allowing 25 earned runs in 25.1 innings of work. Mejia has allowed six earned runs in each of his last two starts, including a four-inning effort against the Astros back on July 1.

Why The Astros Could Cover The Spread

The Houston Astros will look to get back on track as they've struggled with losses in five of their last seven games coming in. The Astros are going through an uncharacteristic cold spell, which certainly won't last. Houston is 56-38 and 29-19 at Minute Maid Park this season. They currently hold a 3.5-game lead over the Athletics in the AL West, thanks to their league-leading offensive production. Their offense has really struggled over the past week and the Astros will hope to bounce back against a below-average pitching staff in Cleveland.

Houston will turn to veteran right-hander Zack Greinke for the series opener. The Astros ace has had a solid season with an 8-3 record and 3.59 ERA through 19 starts. His strikeout numbers are low, but the savvy right-hander has done a great job of keeping the ball in the ballpark this season. Greinke has been great over his last seven starts with a 3-1 record and 3.46 ERA. He allowed three earned runs over 7.2 innings against the Indians back on July 4.

Final Indians – Astros Prediction & Pick

Despite their recent struggles, the Houston Astros are still one of the best teams in the entire league this season. They are in a prime bounce-back spot against an underwhelming Indians club that they just swept earlier this month. Indians starter J.C. Mejia has been one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball and now has a tall task ahead of him against the best lineup in the Majors. Zack Greinke shut Cleveland down earlier this month, making the disparity in this pitching matchup as clear as day. Houston has been great at home and too good overall not to break their slump in a big way on Monday night.

FINAL PICK: Houston Astros -1.5 (-110)