Houston Astros vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction 8-2-23 MLB Picks

The Cleveland Guardians and the Houston Astros meet Wednesday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. This will be the final installment in a three-game series. The Astros took a four-run win in the opener, then on Tuesday Houston managed another win, this time a shutout. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Cleveland Guardians 

The Guardians blew an early 2-0 lead in the Monday opener of this set, eventually falling 7-3. Steven Kwan, Bo Naylor and Myles Straw provided the three RBI. On Tuesday Cleveland was flummoxed by Framber Valdez in a no-hitter loss. Oscar Gonzalez was the team’s only baserunner with a single walk. 

For the starter job in the finale it’ll be Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee. Over his 16 starts so far Bibee is 7-2 with a 3.11 ERA and 91 Ks in 89.2 innings. Bibee is 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA in his last seven starts, giving up 10 earned in 41.1 innings total. 

Cleveland Guardians Team Facts

• The Guardians have lost seven of their last eight road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Guardians have covered the run line each of their last six Wednesday day games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Guardians have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last four games at Minute Maid Park against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Guardians' last three games.
• The Guardians have led after 3 innings in each of their last three day games against American League opponents.

Houston Astros

Over on the Astros’ side, they got a homer and three RBI from Yordan Alvarez in the Monday win, along with two hits, two RBI and a run from Kyle Tucker. In game two Houston got strikeouts on five of Cleveland’s first seven hitters and Valdez had a perfect game into the fifth inning. Kyle Tucker provided two RBI for the Astros, and Jeremy Pena had two hits and a run. 

The Astros were slow to announce a starter for Wednesday’s game, but it’ll be Ronel Blanco. So far Blanco is 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA and 48 strikeouts. 

Houston Astros Team Facts

• The Astros have won each of their last six day games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four day games against American League opponents.
• The Astros have led after 7 innings in each of their last four games against the Guardians at Minute Maid Park.
• The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the last seven day games between the Guardians and Astros.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Houston Astros ranks 3rd in the league for ERA this season (3.79).
• The Houston Astros ranks 5th in the league for strikeouts against this season (844).
• The Cleveland Guardians ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (748).
• The Cleveland Guardians ranks 30th in the league for home runs this season (82).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m likely going to try Cleveland here. The offense really needs to pick things up, though. Bibee is on a very solid run right now. He’s got five earned over his last three starts in 19.2 innings total. Bibee has given up 13 hits and four walks during that time and hasn’t recorded a loss since June 13. In the Tuesday matchup the Guardians continued a sketchy run of offensive performances; they’ve now scored three runs or fewer in four of their last five games—and two runs or fewer in three of those. Still, Bibee should keep the team in it; Cleveland just needs a little boost on the other side.