It’s a rematch of an American League divisional-round playoff series from last year when the Astros and Indians meet for a three-game series in Cleveland beginning Tuesday night. Houston swept the Tribe out of the post-season in three games last October, and it looks like the teams could well meet this October again. Who do we like here for our free MLB pick?
MLB Betting Odds
Tuesday’s MLB betting odds opened Houston at around -115 over Cleveland, with an over/under of 8.5 runs. Early betting action then bumped that line 15 cents, up to about -130 depending on which sportsbook you play at.
Astros vs. Indians Set-Up
Houston just took two of three games at St. Louis over the weekend, winning Sunday 6-2. The Astros then enjoyed Monday off.
Just before that Houston took two of three from Oakland, and just before that they swept three games from Texas, so the Astros are 3-0 over their last three series and 9-2 over their last 11 games.
At 68-39 overall Houston leads the AL West by eight games over the second-place A’s. They’re now tied with the Yankees in the battle for the best record in the American League.
Cleveland, meanwhile, just took three of four games at home from Kansas City, missing the sweep by losing Sunday 9-6. The Indians then also enjoyed Monday off.
Just before that, the Tribe took two of three games from Toronto, and in the series, prior to that, they took two of three from the Royals. Going back a bit further Cleveland is 4-0 over its last four series and 12-3 over its previous 15 games.
At 62-43 overall the Indians now trail division-leading Minnesota by just two games in the AL Central, and they lead the American League wild-card race by three games over second-place Oakland.
This series is the second meeting between these teams this season; back in April, they split four games down in Houston.
Tuesday’s Starting Arms
Bieber, by our stringent standards, is 12/21 on quality starts this season and four for his last five. Last Wednesday he tossed a beauty, holding Toronto scoreless on one hit through a full nine innings of a 4-0 Cleveland victory. And while he gave up five runs in his previous outing, he’d allowed five runs total over his last three starts, covering 22 1/3 innings.
On the season the Indians are 15-6 with Bieber, 5-0 over his last five starts.
In his only career start against the Astros, back in April of this season, Bieber allowed three runs on three hits and four walks through six frames of a 4-3 Cleveland loss.
Verlander is 16/22 on quality starts this year and three for his last three. Last Wednesday he held the A’s to one run – none earned – and two hits through six innings, with 11 strikeouts, in a 4-2 Houston win. And over his last three starts, he’s allowed just four ER and 14 hits through 18 innings, with 30 whiffs.
The Astros are 16-6 with Verlander this season, 3-0 over his last three starts.
In his most recent start against the Indians, in that ALDS last October, Verlander allowed two runs and two hits through 5 1/3 innings of a 7-2 Houston victory.
Tuesday’s Batting Splits
Houston is batting .267/.339/.466 against right-handed pitching this season.
Cleveland is batting .251/.326/.434 against RH pitching this season.
The Bullpens
The Astros bullpen owns a 3.83 ERA this season and a 1.22 WHIP while allowing a .696 OPS.
The Indians pen owns an ML-best 3.25 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP while allowing a .705 OPS.
Both these units rank among the top half-dozen bullpens in Baseball.
Totals Report
- Unders are 57-45 in Astros games this season.
- Unders are 56-46 in Indians games this season.
- Unders are 30-23 in games played at Progressive this season.
- Unders are 3-0 in Astros-Indians games this season.
- Unders are a combined 29-12 with Bieber and Verlander this season.
- Get more details: Houston at Clevelan MLB Match-up Stats
