Astros Have Won 3-Straight Series
The Cleveland Indians and the Houston Astros will open a 3-game series on Friday when they meet at Minute Maid Park. The Astros claimed its third consecutive series on Wednesday. The Indians will be trying to halt that this weekend.
TV: 8:10 p.m. et, Sportstime Ohio (Cleveland), AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Houston).
Pitching Matchup: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (3-0, 2.70 era) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (5-0, 2.03).
Oddsmakers opened the Astros as -145-moneyline favorites versus the Indians, while the game’s total opened at 8.5. Houston is now -165 and the total is now 7.5.
This marquee series pits teams that will most likely be involved in the postseason. This despite Cleveland spinning its wheels at 21-21. They lead a weak AL Central Division. The astros are 28-17, and sit atop the AL West.
Astros Pitching Has Been Astounding in 2018
The Astros pitching Staff boasts an eye-popping era of 2.44. That is nearly a run better than anyone else in baseball. Houston has allowed only allowed 13 runs while going 7-2 in its last nine games.
The Staff owns the three lowest eras in the American League. The pitchers and ERA are; Justin Verlander has a 1.05, Gerrit Cole at 1.75, and Charlie Morton at 2.03.
Morton has won seven straight decisions dating to 2017. You can make that eight in a row during the regular season.
Morton struck out a career-high 14 while permitting one run and four hits in seven innings of a 6-1 victory over Texas on Saturday. He was a personal-best 14-7 last season. He has allowed two or fewer runs in six of his eight starts this season. Morton has fanned 10+ batters 3 times in 2018.
Morton is 0-2 with a 5.56 era in two starts versus Cleveland.
Cleveland Has Been Nerve-Wracking for Fans
Tonight’s starter, Mike Clevinger is also undefeated in 2018. He has quality starts in his last three outings.
Clevinger, who has thrown 231 pitches in his last two starts. He allowed two runs and eight hits while striking out five over 7 2/3 innings of a 6-2 victory over KC on Saturday. Clevinger is 10-5 with a 3.22 era in 24 appearances on the road. He set career highs with 10 strikeouts and 116 pitches in his previous start.
He got a no-decision when he yielded two runs, one hit and four walks across 7 1/3 innings of Cleveland’s 7-4 loss against the Yankees in New York. He is 1-1 with a 1.04 era in two starts versus the astros.
The Indians split their last six games against Central rivals Kansas City and Detroit. This has been since top reliever Andrew Miller returned from the disabled list. He has allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings during that span while he works his way into shape. Cleveland’s MLB-worst bullpen ERA balloon to 5.68.
Jason Kipnis and Edwin Encarnacion have gone deep in a combined nine at-bats versus Morton.
Indians and Astros MLB Betting Trends
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Next up:
Cleveland at Houston Saturday, May 19
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