Total Smash MLB 8*
(MLB) Houston vs. Cleveland,
Total: 8.00 | -110.00 Under
Result: Loss
#969/970 ASA PLAY ON 8* Under 8 Runs – Houston Astros @ Cleveland Guardians, Saturday at 6:10 PM ET - Yesterday's crazy 10-9 final in 14 innings notwithstanding, both teams have been struggling at times of late to score runs and you have two trustworthy starting pitchers on the mound and two rock solid bullpens (ranked 2nd and 3rd for bullpen ERA in the majors) as well. Cleveland has won 5 of 7 games but actually scored an average of just 3 runs in their first 5 games of this 7-game stretch! In last 8 games at home in Cleveland, prior to big games in the series finale with Boston and series opener with these Astros, the Guardians scored an average of only 2.9 runs per game. The Astros are 4-6 last 10 road games. They have often struggled to score many runs on the road in recent road trips. Overall, in last 6 games whether home or away, Houston has been held to 2 or less runs scored in 4 of the 6. Before the high-scoring loss to open up this series, the Astros had allowed an average of only 2.9 runs in their last 7 games on the road. As we mentioned above, very solid bullpens supporting these two starters and both starters appear primed for big starts here. JP France, away from home, has held opponents to a .175 BAA and he has delivered with a 1.04 ERA in his 3 road starts this season. He also was strong in the minors before being called up this season. Taking a look at the Guardians Triston McKenzie, he has returned from injury and looked great in his first start back and this was after dominating in his minor league rehab starts too! This comes as no surprise as McKenzie had a 2.77 ERA in his 13 home starts last season. This game has the makings of a 3-2 final and could even finish as a 2-1 pitchers duel. The pitching dominates again after a rare aberration in the series opener yesterday. We are going with the Under in this one.