Cleveland Guardians at Houston Astros
AP Sports Preview
HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Cleveland Guardians visit the Houston Astros on Friday, June 19, at Daikin Park, with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. EDT. The forecast calls for 88 degrees and cloudy skies.
Cleveland (40-35) sends right-hander Tanner Bibee (2-7, 4.18 ERA) to the mound. Bibee has struggled this season, allowing four or more earned runs in four of his past six starts. The Guardians enter on a three-game winning streak after taking two of three at Milwaukee, including a 4-2 victory Thursday.
Houston (35-41) counters with right-hander Peter Lambert (4-4, 3.72 ERA). Lambert is coming off his best start of the season, throwing seven innings of two-hit ball in a 4-2 win over Detroit on Wednesday. The Astros have won three of their last four after dropping six consecutive games.
Players to watch
Guardians left-hander Parker Messick (3-4, 3.86 ERA) has been Cleveland’s most consistent starter. He earned the win Thursday at Milwaukee, allowing two earned runs over six innings with nine strikeouts. In his last five starts, Messick has a 2.66 ERA with 27 strikeouts over 28 innings.
Astros right-hander Peter Lambert has won three of his last four decisions. Over his past five starts, Lambert has a 2.51 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last three outings.
Series history
The teams split a three-game series in Cleveland from April 20-22, with Houston winning the opener 9-2 and the finale 2-0, while the Guardians took the middle game 8-5.
Betting line
Cleveland is a -1.5 favorite with an over/under of 8.5 runs. Interstat’s simulator projects a 5-3 Houston victory.
Upcoming
The teams continue the three-game series Saturday and Sunday before Cleveland travels to Chicago to face the White Sox on Monday. Houston heads to Toronto for a three-game set starting Monday.