Astros as Good as Billed Early On
The Houston Astros were a fashionable pick to win the AL West, and compelling +1400 third-tier contenders for the World Series. So far, so good: The Astros are off to a 13-6 start (+4.41 betting units), and they’ve lowered their World Series odds to +800 at press time. We could see a preview of the ALCS when Houston visits Cleveland for a three-game set. Game 3 is Thursday at 6:10 PM ET on the MLB Network. Oddsmakers have the Indians as -175 moneyline favorites on MLB Network. The total is at 8.5. Bet on baseball at Bovada and get a free 50% bonus. The Tribe (10-8, –4.02 units) have also seen their championship odds narrow from +900 to +650, but they’ve done all their damage against weak competition in the AL Central. That’s one reason why Cleveland leads the majors in pitching at 3.02 FIP. However, Cy Young winner Corey Kluber (4.18 FIP) has been up-and-down in his four starts thus far. He’s scheduled to take the mound for Thursday’s game opposite Charlie Morton (3.14 FIP). Houston has one of the best pitching staffs in the big leagues, but Morton has been snakebitten somewhat; he’s allowed a .353 BABIP (Batting Average on Balls In Play) since coming over from the National League in the offseason. Kluber has allowed a career-low .261 BABIP thus far.MLB Network Betting Trends
| Houston Astros | ||
|---|---|---|
| Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games | ||
| Houston is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games | ||
| Houston is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road | ||
| Houston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 8 of Houston’s last 9 games on the road | ||
| Houston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland | ||
| The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Houston’s last 23 games when playing Cleveland | ||
| Houston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland | ||
| Houston is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Cleveland | ||
| The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Houston’s last 18 games when playing on the road against Cleveland | ||
Cleveland Indians |
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|---|---|---|
| Cleveland is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games | ||
| The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 6 games | ||
| Cleveland is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games at home | ||
| Cleveland is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games at home | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 6 games at home | ||
| Cleveland is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Houston | ||
| The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Cleveland’s last 23 games when playing Houston | ||
| Cleveland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Houston | ||
| Cleveland is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Houston | ||
| The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Cleveland’s last 18 games when playing at home against Houston | ||