Cleveland Guardians vs
Houston AstrosPredictions & Preview

Houston Astros Favored as they Face Cleveland Guardians at Minute Maid Park with Verlander on the Mound

The Cleveland Guardians will face off against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT. Triston McKenzie, with a 4.91 ERA, will be starting for the Guardians, while Justin Verlander, with a 1.74 ERA, will be on the mound for the Astros. Houston is the betting favorite with the current line at -173.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Guardians +145 | Astros -173
• Spread: Guardians +1.5 (-145) | Astros -1.5 (+125)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 63%.

Cleveland vs Houston Stats

Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland Guardians had a tough series against the Atlanta Braves, losing two out of three games. Despite the losses, they still maintain a 2.5 game lead over Kansas City in the AL Central. Looking ahead to their upcoming matchup in Houston, the Guardians will rely on their pitching staff, which boasts a 3.22 ERA and 1.21 WHIP this season. Triston McKenzie will take the mound for Cleveland, hoping to bounce back from his last outing against the Red Sox. While he has had mixed results against Houston in the past, Cleveland's strong offense, ranked 5th in scoring, gives them a solid chance to come out on top. Be sure to research online sportsbooks before placing your bets.

Houston Astros Analysis

The Houston Astros had a successful Mexico City Series, defeating the Colorado Rockies in both games with an impressive offensive display, outscoring them 20-6 with six home runs. They will look to continue their success as they face Cleveland at home next. While Houston ranks high in OBP, OPS, and home runs, their pitching staff has struggled with a high ERA and WHIP this season. Veteran pitcher Justin Verlander will take the mound for the Astros, coming off a strong performance in his last start. Despite a power ranking of 24 and a struggling defense, Houston's offense remains strong, averaging 4.36 runs per game. Cleveland, on the other hand, has had recent success against Houston, winning their last three matchups. For more MLB predictions, consider checking out Expert Picks.

Verlander looks to lead Houston to victory against struggling Guardians

In Houston, the team boasts a home slash line of .287 BA, .365 OBP, .473 SLG, and .838 OPS, while facing right-handed pitchers, they have a slash line of .262/.328/.402/.730. As for McKenzie, he is slowly finding his rhythm after recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries that kept him out of most of the 2023 season. Despite his ability to strike out numerous batters, McKenzie has struggled this year, pitching less than four innings in three of his starts and showing difficulty with his command by walking 17 batters in 22.0 innings pitched. On the other hand, Verlander has shown consistency in his two starts, including a strong seven-strikeout performance in his last outing. He will look to continue his success in the upcoming matchup against the Guardians, known for their stronger performance against left-handed pitchers. Expect Verlander to deliver a quality start and lead Houston to a comfortable victory on Wednesday.

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