The Houston Astros will look to both, extend their modest winning streak while sending an early message to the visiting Cleveland Guardians when the two American League pennant hopefuls square off in the opener of their four-game set on Thursday night. Will the ‘Stros take care of business at home or are the Tribe the better pick as they look to play the role of road warriors? Let’s get to my expert MLB betting prediction right now.
Indians vs Astros MLB Week 4 Odds & Game Preview
Celebrate the W. #TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/SCSdbmbRQ5
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 25, 2019
- When: Thursday April 25, 2019, 8:10 PM ET
- Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
- TV: ATSW, STOh
- MLB Odds: Cleveland +135 / Houston -160 (total 7.5)
- Starting Pitchers: Bauer vs Cole
Why Bet On Cleveland
The Indians look for another win after snapping a three-game skid in their convincing 6-2 win over Miami on Wednesday. Switch-hitting third baseman Jose Ramirez broke out of his season-long slump by smacking a solo homer in the first while adding an RBI single in the third and a two-run double in the eighth.
“He’s a great hitter,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “Guys go through tough times. You’re going to look up and he’s going to be among the league leaders. It’ll be fun to watch.”
For this contest, Cleveland will hand the ball to veteran right-hander Trevor Bauer and that looks super positive for the Tribe with Bauer coming off a strong performance in which he limited Atlanta to two runs in 6.2 innings while striking out 10. For his career, Bauer has dominated the Astros in his career by posting a perfect 7-0 mark in eight starts with a 3.18 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 51 innings.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Runs/G: 3.91
- Hits /G: 6.83
- Walks /G: 3.96
- Strike Outs /G: 9.65
- Runs/G: 3.87
- Hits /G: 7.48
- Walks /G: 3.09
- Strike Outs /G: 9.96
Why Bet On Houston
The Astros have won two straight, including their overpowering 7-1 smackdown of Minnesota on Wednesday that I correctly predicted in the MYBookie.ag news section a day ago. Justin Verlander limited the Twins to one run on four hits while striking out eight for his seventh-straight win dating back to last season.
“He’s done this for over a decade,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said. “He knows how to finish his outings strong and control the game when he’s got the lead. I’ve said before, he’s a good pitcher all the time, he’s a really tough guy to come back on when he has the lead.”
For this contest, the Astros will turn to right-hander Gerrit Cole who is looking to rebound from what is likely the worst start of his career. Cole was smacked senseless as he gave up nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits in just 4.1 innings of a 9-4 loss against Texas the last time he took the mound.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Runs/G: 5.00
- Hits /G: 9.50
- Walks /G: 3.75
- Strike Outs /G: 7.21
- Runs/G: 3.83
- Hits /G: 6.62
- Walks /G: 2.38
- Strike Outs /G: 9.33
Indians vs Astros MLB Betting Trends
- Cleveland are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games against Houston.
- Cleveland are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston.
- Cleveland are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games against an opponent in the American League conference.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games.
- Houston are 13-4 SU in their last 17 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston’s last 7 games against Cleveland.
Expert Analysis and Prediction
The Houston Astros might be playing at home, but I’m going to urge you to back the Cleveland Indians to get the big road win, mostly because Trevor Bauer is throwing the ball fantastically while Gerrit Cole looked completely awful in his last start. I also like the breakout game that Jose Ramirez had for the Tribe on Wednesday and I believe he’s going to touch up Cole for at least one huge hit in this contest.
The Indians are 5-2 in their last 7 during game 1 of a series, 6-2 in Trevor Bauer’s last 8 road starts and an impressive 9-4 in Bauer’s last 13 starts overall. While Houston has gone 20-7 in their last 27 home games, the Astros are also just 1-4 in their last 5 Thursday games and 0-4 in their last 4 games when their opponent allows two runs or less in their previous game. Gerrit Cole was lights out for Houston last year, but this isn’t last year and that’s why I like Cleveland in this one.
Pick: Cleveland 4 Houston 3
