The Houston Astros go on the road to take on the Cleveland Indians in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. The Astros opened up the series at home with two wins so this could be the game that the Astros clinch. The Indians struggled to generate any offense in the first two games and are really going to need some to knock off the Astros in the series. The Astros took the first two games by a combined score of 10-3. Even though the Indians are down 2-0 in the series they aren’t down for the count yet.
Mike Clevinger will take the mound for the Indians while Dallas Keuchel takes the ball for the series clinching game. Clevinger had a 3.02 ERA this year while Keuchel had a 3.74 ERA. The Indians are 1.5 run favorites in their return home and the over/under is set at 8.5.
Houston Looking to Protect Crown
The Astros were 103-59 in the regular season and return to the playoffs a year after winning the world series. So far, their title defense is going well as they have a commanding lead. In Game 1, they easily dispatched the Indians 7-2. Part of that effort was a four home run night by the Astros offense.
Justin Verlander took the win in that one with a 5.1 inning outing where he allowed two runs. Four different players homered and they knocked out the Indians ace, Corey Kluber, early on in the game. Doing that was huge as they then scored three runs off of their bullpen. The offense was a little lighter in the second game as the Astros won 3-1. Gerrit Cole was lights out allowing just one run in seven innings.
Cleveland Seeking Bats
The Astros scored two runs to take the lead in the 6thinning and that is all they needed to take the victory. Coming into this game, the Astros have all the momentum. It would be key for them to wrap this series up tonight and then be able to rest before they play either the Yankees or Red Sox.
The Indians struggled in the first two games to produce any offense, but they are not out of the series quite yet. They have been solid at home this year and an energized crowd might give them the boost that they need to win the next two games and send it back to Houston tied up for Game 5.
They struggled to get the bats going in Houston only scoring three runs on just six hits over the first two games. In order to win this third game, they are going to have to have a good outing by Clevinger and their bats are going to have to wake up. You aren’t going to be able to stop the Astros completely, you just have to hope that you can slow them down. The Indians are due for an offensive explosion and it is going to have to come today. They have the bats to score runs, but up against Dallas Keuchel, it may be a tough task.
Astros Finish the Job
This is a win or go home situation for the Indians. Things aren’t looking great for them but they have the ability to rattle off a few wins in a row to get it back to Houston where anything could happen. The Indians are going to need the bats to come alive early and get Keuchel out of the game. If this happens, the Indians should be in a good spot to win the game. The Astros will score run in this one so even though the Indians have a good chance to win, the Astros should be a ble to cover. Take the Astros.
