Cleveland Guardians (92-67) vs Houston Astros (86-73)
Game Info: Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 6:10 pm (Progressive Field)
The Line: Betting Odds: Cleveland Guardians -109 / Houston Astros -109 — Over/Under: 8
The Houston Astros and the Cleveland Guardians meet Saturday in MLB action from Progressive Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Guardians prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Houston Astros will send out Justin Verlander for the start here and Verlander is 4-6 with a 5.55 ERA and 69 strikeouts this season. Ben Lively will get the nod for the Guardians here and is 13-9 with a 3.80 ERA and 114 strikeouts this season.
Houston Astros Recap
The Houston Astros will be out to build on a 5-2 win to start the series in Friday’s opener. The win gave Houston a chance to build some positive momentum heading into the postseason after a series loss to the Seattle Mariners earlier in the week.
Astros Prepping For Wild Card Round
Jose Altuve has 185 hits and a .295 batting average with 20 home runs, 65 RBIs and 31 doubles while Yordan Alvarez also has 35 homers with 86 RBIs and 34 doubles. Altuve has the Astros’ team lead with 22 stolen bases so far this season. Jeremy Pena also has 160 hits and a .268 batting average as well as 20 stolen bases of his own this season. Alex Bregman’s added 26 homers and 75 RBIs and 30 doubles also.
Why the Houston Astros will win
- The Astros have won each of their last seven games against AL Central opponents.
- The Guardians have lost four of their last five night games against the Astros at Progressive Field following a home loss.
- The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last seven games as road underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five night games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
Cleveland Guardians Recap
The Cleveland Guardians come into this one looking to bounce back after ending up with the loss in Friday’s opener. The Guardians could use the win to keep their run of form going after sweeping the Reds earlier this week.
Guardians Prepping For Postseason Run
Jose Ramirez leads the Guardians with 171 hits as well as 38 home runs and 115 RBIs while Josh Naylor also has 31 home runs and 108 RBIs along with 27 doubles of his own. Ramirez has a team-high 38 doubles while Tyler Freeman has 14 doubles and Andres Gimenez has 63 RBIs with 30 stolen bases. The aforementioned Ramirez has a team-high 41 stolen bases on the year. Steven Kwan is also hitting .292 with 140 hits and 16 doubles this season.
Why the Cleveland Guardians will win
- The Guardians have won each of their last five home games against AL West opponents following a home loss.
- The Astros have lost each of their last five games as underdogs following a win.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in each of their last five home games against AL West opponents following a home loss.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games after playing the previous day.
Astros vs. Guardians Prediction
I’m leaning towards the Guardians here. I don’t love this game, with both teams having clinched, but the Guardians are still jostling with the Yankees for the top spot in the AL and home field throughout that part of the playoffs, and Cleveland’s also been keeping their guys in more often than not while the Astros have gone the route of resting some people. Justin Verlander also hasn’t looked like himself in some of these recent games, and I think Cleveland could benefit here. Give me Cleveland.