Houston Astros at Cleveland Guardians 8/4/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Houston Astros will open up a series on the road at Progressive Field to take on the Cleveland Guardians. Houston dropped the opening two games in a series to the Red Sox, but bounced back with a decisive 6-1 win in game three to improve to 68-38 and continue to build on their double-digit lead in the AL West. The Guardians won two of three to the Diamondbacks securing the series win with a 7-4 win, and pulled within one game of the Twins in the AL Central race.

The Astros offense is dead in the middle of the MLB averaging 4.42 runs per game, but it’s been hit or miss all season long. Yordan Alvarez has done his part, emerging as one of the best hitters in the MLB with 30 home runs, 72 RBIs and batting .303, all three of which lead the team. Houston added Trey Mancini from the Orioles at the deadline, and he made his presence felt with a home run in his first start in the series clinching win over the Red Sox.

The veteran right-hander Justin Verlander will get the start for the Astros and he’s been absolutely dominant this season. Verlander is 14-3 with a 1.81 ERA and 0.87 WHIP, ranking first and second in the MLB respectively. He allowed a run on five hits and struck out five in his last start, and got plenty of help from the Astros bats as they beat the Mariners 11-1.

Cleveland is right behind the Astros in scoring offense, 16th in the league and scoring 4.40 runs per game. Jose Ramirez has led the way with 21 home runs and has driven in the third most runs in the MLB with 86 RBIs. Paired with him on the left side of the infield with Ramierz is another stud in Amed Rosario, the 26 year old is hitting .293 with 6 home runs and 41 RBIs. 

The right-handed Zach Plesac will get the start for the Guardians and hope to improve on his 2-9 record this season. Plesac does have a manageable 4.33 ERA and 1.29 WHIP, but struggled in his last outing allowing five runs on seven hits, including two home runs, and struck out seven in a loss to the Rays. Plesac has been a solid rotational arm, but hasn’t shown a whole lot of improvement over his four years in the big leagues. See who else is starting in the games on Thursday with our MLB previews.