Cleveland (1st – AL Central) at Houston (1st – AL West)
Where: Minute Maid Park
When: May 18, 2018 8:10PM EST
Moneyline: CLE +152 / HOU -162
Over/Under: 8
By expert handicapper Rich Crew
The Indians and the Astros will meet for the first time when they open a three-game set at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Friday. The MLB odds board has the host Astros as a -161 to -170 money line favorite with the total offered up at a consensus eight runs.
The Indians come into this series after starting their road trip in Detroit where they dropped two of the three games. Cleveland has looked a little better especially on offense where they have scored 49 runs in their last seven contests (7 runs per game) up from their average of 4.93. Their pitching while still an area of concern has been on the improve holding the opposition to three or fewer runs in five of their last eight games.
The Astros have picked up their game after going 1-5 and losing both series on the road versus the Diamondbacks and at home to the Yankees. They’ve won their last three sets going 7-2 against the Athletics, Rangers, and Angels. Houston’s pitchers continue to dominate opposing hitters with a Major League leading 2.44 ERA which is nearly a run better than the second place Arizona 3.31.
Mike Clevinger (R): The Indians send out Clevinger to make his ninth start of the season. The right-hander has been sharp with a 62.5 quality start percentage and takes the mound riding a three QS streak. Clevinger has made just three starts away from home this season and recording a 2-0 record with a minuscule 0.69 WHIP and 0.83 ERA.
Charlie Morton (R): The Astros give the ball to the crafty veteran Charlie Morton who arguably is having his best this of his career. He’s 5-0 in eight starts with a brilliant 2.03 earned run average, striking out 62 while walking 17 over 48 2/3 innings. Morton has been even better at home with a 4-0 record with a 1.96 earned run average.
Betting Trends
- Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last five games when playing Houston
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Cleveland’s last 13 games when playing on the road against Houston
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston’s last seven games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Houston’s last 25 games when playing Cleveland
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Houston’s last 13 games when playing at home against Cleveland
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Public Money
The public is siding with the Astros in this game with 62% of the money line wagering coming in on Houston. Not surprisingly considering the pitching match-up the UNDER has been the bet of choice with 58% of the action.
Indians at Astros Prediction 5/18/18
This play is all about the value. The Indians’ starter Clevinger has been exceptional in his three starts on the road in 2018. He opened the season with 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Angels and followed that up with a complete game shutout against Baltimore, and in his latest, he held the Bronx Bombers to two runs over 7 1/3. On the offensive side, Cleveland has been explosive scoring six or more runs in six of their last seven matches. Sure Morton has been just as good overall, but the visitors’ hot bats give us the advantage at plus money.
Crew’s Pick: Take the Cleveland Indians +152 at 5Dimes to get the best line on this game and guys if you don’t have an account here, now is the time to save money all season long with this betting shop’s overnight nickel lines and dime line betting on game day!
