Houston Astros at Cleveland Guardians 8/6/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Houston Astros play the third game of a four-game series on the road Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians. Houston is 69-38 following its 6-0 victory over the Guardians in the opening game of the series on Thursday. Justin Verlander won his major league-leading 15th game after pitching six shutout innings. Martin Maldonado and Chas McCormick each hit home runs. Houston is first in the American League West, 11 ½ games ahead of the Seattle Mariners.

Designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is batting .303 with 30 home runs, 72 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .409 to lead Houston in each category. Second baseman Jose Altuve is the leader in hits with 95. On Saturday, the Houston Astros will send Luis Garcia to the mound. The right-hander is 8-7 with a 3.81 ERA, 112 Ks and 37 BBs.

Cleveland is 54-51 following its six-run loss to Houston on Thursday. The Guardians were held to three hits and left only five runners on base. Starter Zach Plesac was hit hard allowing four runs on seven hits and dropped to 2-10 on the season. Cleveland is second in the American League Central, one game behind the first-place Minnesota Twins.

Andres Gimenez is batting .301 to lead Cleveland, while Amed Rosario is the leader in hits with 118. Jose Ramirez is the leader in home runs with 21 and RBIs with 86, while Steven Kwan is the leader in on-base percentage at .370. On Saturday, the Cleveland Guardians will send Cal Quantrill to the mound. The right-hander is 7-5 with a 4.08 ER, 75 Ks and 34 BBs.