The Houston Astros can punch their return ticket to the American League Championship Series as they bring a 2-0 series lead into Monday afternoon’s Game 3 in Cleveland. The Guardians, though, are slight MLB lines favorites to extend the series.
How to Bet Astros at Indians ALDS Game 3 Betting Lines & Game Info
There was no stopping the #ColeTrain yesterday. 🚂 #NeverSettle pic.twitter.com/cjI0CtUwZE
— Houston Astros (@astros) 7 de octubre de 2018
- When: Monday, 1:30 PM ET
- Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Dallas Keuchel/Mike Clevinger
- TV: TBS
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: TuneIn
- ALDS Game 3 Betting Lines: Cleveland Indians -118 / Houston Astros +108 (Total 8.5)
Red Sox vs Yankees ALDS Game 3 Odds & Expert Prediction
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 27°C/80°F
- Humidity: 67%
- Precipitation: 9%
- Cloud Cover: 14%
- Wind: 10 mph
- Stadium Type: Open
Why Bet on Houston?
This marks the Astros’ 10th trip to the Division Series and their third in the last four seasons. Houston dispatched Boston in the 2017 ALDS, winning the series in four games. The Astros are 17-22 all-time in the DS, but 13-7 dating back to 2004.
The Astros took Game 1 of this series 7-2 and then Game 2 on Saturday, 3-1. Gerrit Cole struck out 12 Indians over seven innings, allowing just a solo homer on Saturday. Cole’s 12 strikeouts tied Nolan Ryan’s total from the 1986 NLCS Game 5, the third-highest postseason total for an Astros pitcher in the team’s history behind only Mike Scott in 1986 NLCS Game 1, who struck out 14, and Justin Verlander’s 13 punchouts in Game 2 of the 2017 ALCS. It was also the first time all year a pitcher recorded 12 strikeouts against the Indians.
Roberto Osuna recorded a four-out save Saturday. With a runner on base and the tying run stepping to the plate in the form of Francisco Lindor, Astros manager A.J. Hinch called upon Osuna to preserve the lead. Osuna also pitched a scoreless inning in Friday’s Game 1 win.
Hinch said Sunday that he’s “not expecting any problems” with Jose Altuve. The former AL MVP banged up his right knee in ALDS Game 2, which is the same knee that sent him to the disabled list back in July. Altuve is 2-for-8 with a solo home run in the first two games of the series.
It’s the lefty and former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel (12-11, 3.74) here. Keuchel allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out two in a 5-2 win over Baltimore in his final regular-season start. As planned, Keuchel threw just three innings.
Keuchel will be making his ninth career postseason appearance (eighth start). In last year’s playoffs, he went 2-2 with a 3.58 ERA and 32 strikeouts in five starts as the Astros won their first World Series championship.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.92
- Hits: 8.58
- Walks: 3.48
- Strike Outs: 7.36
- Runs: 3.27
- Hits: 7.13
- Walks: 2.68
- Strike Outs: 10.43
Why Bet on Cleveland?
Francisco Lindor hit a solo home run, but that was all the offense the Indians could muster in Game 2. Lindor’s drive in the third inning off Astros starter Gerrit Cole gave the Indians life and the lead but it turned out to be one of just three hits they’d collect. With a chance to tie the game in the eighth, Lindor struck out swinging against Astros closer Roberto Osuna.
Indians manager Terry Francona said Sunday that Yandy Diaz and Brandon Guyer will both be in the lineup versus the lefty Dallas Keuchel in Game 3. Diaz will be the designated hitter, with Edwin Encarnacion covering first base and Yonder Alonso going to the bench. Guyer, who battled a shoulder issue down the stretch, will be in right field in place of Melky Cabrera.
Trevor Bauer will be available out of the bullpen for ALDS Game 3 but is still an option to start a potential Game 4. Bauer made relief appearances in Game 1 and Game 2 but will be available out of the bullpen again if needed in Game 3 if Mike Clevinger gets into trouble. If Bauer does wind up starting Game 4, he wouldn’t figure to go very deep into the game. Shane Bieber is the other option to start Tuesday.
Clevinger (13-8, 3.02) will be making his seventh playoff appearance and his first career start for the Indians. He does not have a postseason decision but has an ERA of 6.43 with nine walks and six strikeouts in six relief appearances. Clevinger made two relief appearances in last year’s ALDS against the New York Yankees allowing two earned runs in 1 1/3 innings with three strikeouts.
The Astros are hitting .349 against Clevinger in two starts this season (both Indians losses) with two home runs, two doubles, and 10 strikeouts. He pitched well in a May 18 start at Houston, striking out six in 6 1/3 innings. Yuli Gurriel has four hits in nine at-bats against Clevinger (.444) while Alex Bregman and George Springer each have hit home runs.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 5.01
- Hits: 8.85
- Walks: 3.40
- Strike Outs: 7.40
- Runs: 4.01
- Hits: 8.34
- Walks: 2.52
- Strike Outs: 9.48
Astros at Indians ALDS Game 3 Betting Trends
- Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Cleveland
- Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings
- Astros are 4-1 in Keuchel’s last 5 starts vs. Indians
- Astros are 7-15 in the last 22 meetings in Cleveland
- Houston is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
- Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Houston’s last 9 games
- Cleveland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
- Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 6 games when playing Houston
Expert MLB Betting Prediction for Astros at Indians
Cleveland extends the series one more day.
