It’s a whole new season of baseball, one which could hold big things for two very promising ball clubs in the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros. The Indians have just enough depth to stir things up in the American League, while the Astros have plenty of power to chase away opposing pitchers.
Which of these two teams start their season strong? Read on for everything you need to know heading into this opening day matchup. For more on the best baseball action, check out our complete previews for the Angels vs. Mariners and Giants vs. Diamondbacks.
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Cleveland Indians vs. Houston Astros Preview
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston
When: Monday, April 6, 7:10 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Indians (-125) at Houston Astros (+115); total 7.5 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are pretty well-taken care of with regard to their opening day starter against the Houston Astros. They’ll put 2014 AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber on the mound after signing him to a five-year, $38.5 million deal on Sunday.
[sc:MLB240banner ]The Cleveland ace went 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 2014, just the fourth time since 1987 that a player had 18 wins with an ERA below 2.50 with at least 260 strikeouts. Kluber should have a strong start to the season. He is 3-0 in his career with a 1.68 ERA and 24 strikeouts in two starts and a relief appearance against the Astros.
The Indians are also pretty crafty at the plate. Michael Brantley hit .327 in 2014, which ranked third among qualified hitters in the AL last season. He had 45 doubles, 20 home runs and 23 stolen bases. Brantley hit .307/.378/.449 against left-handers last season, so he should have some success against Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel.
Jason Kipnis can also give Cleveland’s batting order a boost if he can get over his injury-plagued 2014 season, where he hit just .240 with six home runs and 41 RBIs. He hit .284 with 17 homers and 84 RBIs as he stayed healthy in 2013. Kipnis has hit .400 with an RBI in his career against Houston’s Keuchel.
Cleveland has won eight of its past 10 games against Houston.
Betting on the Houston Astros
Things are looking bright for Houston. The Astros had their first 70-win season of the past four years in 2014. They have an offense that has plenty of power to thank for that. Jose Altuve leads the Houston batting order. He set career-highs in batting average (.341), on base percentage (.377) and stolen bases (56) last season.
But Altuve hasn’t been as dominant against Kluber, going just 2-for-7 lifetime against the Cleveland ace. Assuming he continues to be baffled by Kluber, then Chris Carter should be able to pick up the slack. Carter, who tied for second in the AL with 37 home runs last season, has hit .300 with a double and a home run against Kluber in his career.
On the mound, Keuchel’s first career opening day start can’t come at a better time. He went 12-9 with a 2.93 ERA as he won his first Gold Glove in 2014. He also set a career-high 146 strikeouts last season. Keuchel has fared quite well against the Indians, going 1-0 with a 2.47 ERA in two career starts (including a complete game) and a relief appearance.
The Astros are 4-1 in Keuchel’s last five home starts.
Writer’s Prediction
The Indians (-125) start their season with a win.
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