Cleveland Indians (47-43) vs. Houston Astros (56-38)
July 20, 2021 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Astros -190 / Cleveland Indians +160 ; Over/Under: 9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Indians and the Houston Astros meet Tuesday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. This will be the second installment in a three-game series between these teams. In the Monday opener, the Astros eked out a tight win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cleveland played the A’s over the weekend, losing Friday 5-4 but bouncing back for wins Saturday 3-2 and Sunday 4-2. In the Monday game versus the Astros, the Indians kept pace but ultimately fell in a 4-3 result. Jean Carlos Mejia went 4.1 innings with four earned on seven hits and two walks.
For the starter job in the Tuesday game, the Indians will go with Triston McKenzie. Across 49.1 innings and 12 games (11 starts), McKenzie has a 1-3 record, a 5.47 ERA and 68 strikeouts total.
Over on the Astros’ side, they beat the White Sox Friday but fell Saturday 10-1 and Sunday 4-0. In the Monday game versus the Indians, Houston notched nine team hits in the one-run win. Zack Greinke put up 5.1 innings with five hits and two earned runs.
For Tuesday’s starting pitcher job, the Astros will go with Luis Garcia. Across 17 games (15 starts) and 85.1 innings this year, Garcia has 97 Ks, a 3.06 ERA and a 6-5 record to his name.
The Indians are 36-16 in their last 52 Tuesday games and 2-6 in their last eight in game two of a series. The over is 8-3-1 in Cleveland’s last 12 in game two of a series and 7-3 in their last 10 Tuesday games.
Meanwhile, the Astros are 5-1 in their last six Tuesday games and 20-8 in their last 28 versus a team with a winning record. Houston is 56-23 in their last 79 versus the AL Central and 130-63 in their last 193 home games.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Astros. Garcia has been doing pretty well over his last seven games, carrying a 3-2 record with a 2.97 ERA and 13 earned in 39.1 innings of work. As for McKenzie, he’s just 1-2 over his last seven with a 4.99 ERA and 17 earned in 30.2 innings. I like both starters to pitch reasonably well here, with Houston gutting out the win.
