Free MLB Pick: Guardians vs. Astros Odds
Looking for Cleveland Guardians vs. Houston Astros Free MLB predictions? MLB betting sees the Guardians taking on the Astros on Monday, May 23rd, 2022 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Guardians-Astros free pick.
2022 MLB Handicapping
(17-20) Cleveland Guardians vs. Houston Astros (27-15)
Date: Monday, May 23rd, 2022
Time: 8:10 PM ET
Venue: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
Projected Pitchers: TBA (CLE) vs. Luis Garcia (HOU)
MLB Moneyline Odds: Guardians +170 Astros -200
MLB run line Betting Odds: Guardians +1.5 Astros -1.5
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: O/U: 8.5
The Guardians will be in Houston to start a series with the Astros on Monday night.
There is no official word on the Cleveland starter and Luis Garcia is going for the Astros.
Houston is a big favorite at home and the total is set at 8.5.
Cleveland Guardians
I feel the best way to describe the Guardians so far is average. That is pretty much what people expected them to be this year.
They are not so bad to the point where they are a total bottom feeder but they also are not good enough to the point where they are a threat. Frankly, they are in the worst spot that a team could be in which is the middle.
Coming into this series with Houston, Cleveland has a record of 17-20 and they are 3rd in the AL Central. Because the division they play in is not very tough it is possible they could improve their standing in it.
Regardless, it is still very clear that Chicago and Minnesota are better than these guys and will likely be the two teams competing for the division during the whole season. It would kind of surprise me if the Tribe were in the mix as we get deeper.
The bottom line for this ball club is they are not overly talented and until that changes, they will just be a mediocre squad. I get that they have one of the best pitchers and one of the best third basemen in the sport on their roster but those guys are not enough. The teams that are very deep on both sides of the field are the ones that often have the most success and that is far from what this group is.
At the present time, their pitching staff is not going to get it cut. If they wish to be a true contender again, they are going to have to go out there and acquire some more front-end talent to beef up the rotation and support Bieber.
The offense to me is also average. It is great having Jose Ramirez in there but he is one man. No matter how good of a singular player he is, he will not be able to solve all of the issues for them on that side of the ball.
It is abundantly evident that Cleveland has to improve their team by opening their wallet but there is no guarantee they will do so. They are not a big market team and have not been known to spend top dollar, so there is a good chance they do not do a whole helluva lot with what they have.
Houston Astros
The Astros are finally starting to play the way they should be. I have been impressed with them for the whole season but more specifically the last month or so.
There was no denying that they got off to a slower start than they would have liked but as expected, they figured it out. This team is too talented to just trade wins and losses for the whole year.
When I look at this team, I see a group that is not the most talented but they still have plenty of good players. It is certainly fair to say they are one of the best teams in the AL and are a threat.
Houston is 1st in the AL West with a record of 27-15 but the Angels are not too far behind them. Los Angeles only trails them by 1.5 games and it does not look like they are going anywhere.
In terms of the division, I still feel this squad is the best it has to offer. There is no question the Angels are a lot better and deserve recognition but they are not on the same level as the Stros. The Halos are still on a prove-it-to-me basis because of how mediocre they have been in recent memory.
At the very moment, the only team that I could say I truly feel is better than these guys in the AL are the Yankees. That does not mean the Bombers are perfect but they are the standard in this league for the moment.
This series with the Guardians is one the Astros must take advantage of. After taking three of four from the Rangers in their last series, it is important they keep it up here.
Jose Urquidy went 6.2 innings, allowed 1 earned run, and struck out 10 batters in the 5-2 win on Sunday. Luis Garcia will look to have similar results to begin the series on Monday.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- The Guardians are 1-4 in their last 5 games on grass.
- The Guardians are 0-4 in their last 4 games on grass.
- The Astros are 20-6 in their last 26 games.
- The Astros are 13-4 in their last 17 games vs. a team with a losing record.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Houston Astros MLB Prediction:
I look for the Astros to keep on rolling in this game. I have a hard time seeing them slow down.
Garcia has been solid this season and if he is on his game, he should be able to navigate through this lineup and hand it to the pen.
Even though Cleveland has not announced their starter, I do not have much confidence in any of their arms holding down this lineup.
Give me the Astros laying it at home.
4* Free MLB Betting Pick: Astros -1.5
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