The Stats Zone
July 30 2019, 10:59 · Juan Pablo Aravena

2019 MLB – Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians Preview & Prediction

2019 MLB – Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians Preview & Prediction
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THE FACTS

When is Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians taking place? Wednesday 31st July, 2019 – 00:10 (UK)

Where is Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians taking place? Progressive Field

What is the expected weather for Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians? Partly cloudy, 26c

What television channel is Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians on? BT Sport in the UK / SportsNet-SW and SportsTime Ohio in the US

Where can I stream Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website or app in the UK / MLB.tv in the US

Where can I get tickets for Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians? https://www.mlb.com/tickets/season-tickets

What was the outcome in the last meeting? Houston Astros 4 – 1 Cleveland Indians

THE TEAM NEWS

HOUSTON ASTROS

  • The Astros won two of three games in their recent series against the St. Louis Cardinals and aside from riding a two-game winning run, they have also gone 3-2 in their last five games. To make things even better, the Astros have been one of the best teams in MLB over the last 10 games, a span where they have compiled an 8-2 record.
  • When it comes to Houston’s injuries, Lance McCullers is out for the season and Jake Marisnick is suspended, while Brad Peacock, Ryan Pressly and Josh James are all injured. Michael Brantley has been one of Houston’s top performers in 2019 thanks to a .325 average and a .910 OPS, while Carlos Correa has one home run and two hits in three at-bats against Beiber in his career.
  • Justin Verlander will get the start here for the Astros. The veteran right-hander has a 13-4 mark with a 2.86 ERA, an 0.84 WHIP and 183 Ks in 144.2 IP across 22 starts in 2019.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

  • The Indians are coming off a 9-6 loss against Kansas City Royals the last time out, but that loss ended Cleveland’s four-game winning streak. Aside from being 4-1 in their last five games, they have also gone 7-3 in their last 10 and their impressive form in the past two months has them alive in the race for the AL Central title.
  • Dan Otero and Bradley Zimmer could be close to returning from their injuries, although players such as Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and star pitcher Corey Kluber remain without a clear timetable to return. Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor are players to watch here for the Indians, since both are hitting over .340 against Tuesday’s hurler, Verlander. Carlos Santana has smacked five homers in 43 at-bats against the former Detroit Tigers star.
  • All-Star MVP Shane Bieber will start for the Indians here and he’s been one of the biggest surprises in the American League this season. Bieber has a 10-3 record with a 3.44 ERA, and recently threw a one-hit shutout with 10 Ks in his previous outing. He also owns a stellar 0.99 WHIP in 2019.

THE PREDICTION

These are two of the hottest teams in MLB over the past few weeks, and both seem to be rolling with absolute confidence. The recent record gives a slight edge to the Astros and, while the season series is tied 2-2, Houston won their previous two meetings. That, coupled with Verlander’s presence on the mound, should be enough to give Houston a slim edge in this encounter.