MLB Predictions: Can the Indians bounce back vs. the Astros? 4/26/17
Will the Cleveland Indians bounce back from Tuesday’s loss and beat the Houston Astros tonight at 6:10PM ET? Here’s our latest MLB Predictions.
THE ODDS
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Astros are slightly favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -125 to win. The Indians are listed with a money line of +105 to prevail, while the over/under total is set at 8.5 runs.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Today’s pitching matchup has Lance McCullers Jr. (2-0, 3.38 ERA) taking the mound for the Astros to face Trevor Bauer (1-2, 6.35) of the Indians. While McCullers is 2-0, the Astros are 4-0 in his starts. He has 31 strikeouts with just six walks this season. He has allowed nine runs in 24 innings.
Bauer has been struggling, as he has allowed 12 earned runs in 17 innings of work. He does have 20 strikeouts with just five walks, but has allowed three home runs.
THE ASTROS
The Astros are now 14-6 overall and 7-2 on the road following Tuesday’s 4-2 win at Cleveland. Houston has now won two straight and five of its last six. The Astros come into today averaging 4.3 runs per game while allowing just 3.5 per game on defense.
Jose Altuve is leading the team with a .312 average with two home runs and seven RBI. Altuve had a collision last night, but is expect to play today. George Springer is adding seven home runs and 13 RBI, but hitting just .213.
THE INDIANS
Cleveland has lost two straight to fall to 10-9 on the season and 2-5 at home. The Indians are averaging 4.68 runs per game at the plate but allowing 4.32 per game on the mound.
Jose Ramirez has five home runs and 17 RBI while hitting .319 to lead this team. Francisco Lindor also has five home runs. Newly-signed Edwin Encarnacion is struggling thus far, batting just .203 with three home runs and seven RBI.
MLB PREDICTIONS
While the Indians are coming off back-to-back losses, I like them at home today. McCullers has been pretty solid, but isn’t going terribly deep into games. Bauer isn’t terribly trustworthy, but he is coming off his best outing against the Twins.
Bauer could be building into something positive tonight and his lineup has more pop than what Houston brings. Take a chance on the home underdog tonight.
MLB Predictions: Cleveland Indians +105