Division-Leading Astros and Indians Meet Again in Potential Playoff Preview

• Charlie Morton puts his 6-0 record and 1.94 ERA on the line against for the Astros against the Indians’ Mike Clevinger
• The teams play two series this season, separated by three days
• Two of the hottest hitters in baseball square off in Jose Ramirez and Alex Bregman

When the Houston Astros (32-18) kick off their series against the Cleveland Indians (23-23) on Thursday night in Cleveland, it’ll seem oddly familiar. That’s because the two just wrapped up a three-game set over the weekend.  The Astros claimed two of those games, shutting down the Indians’ offense in the process.

The AL West-leading Astros have been on fire. They’ve won three in a row, and eight of their last ten. That includes taking two of three against the Indians.

While Cleveland is leading the Central, the Tribe are 5-5 over their last ten and have won back-to-back games just once in May. They’ve struggled to build consistency in the win column this season, winning three or more in a row just twice.

Astros’ Morton and Indians’ Clevinger meet one week later

When looking for recent history to draw on in this one, it’s pretty easy. Not only did the two teams just wrap up a three-game set in Houston, but these two pitchers faced one another last Friday.

Morton got the better of Clevinger that day, which can be chalked up to his control. Morton struck out eight over seven innings. His lone blemish was an Edwin Encarnacion homer in the seventh. Clevinger only gave up three runs in 6.1 innings, but issued four walks and gave up eight hits.

So… The @astros have a really good pitching staff.

(via @StatsBySTATS) pic.twitter.com/UVwqjkqEzn

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 23, 2018

For Morton, this is just how his season has gone. A perfect 6-0, he has essentially shut down everyone. His worst outings were a four-run, five inning performance against the Angels, and a three-run, four walk no-decision against Arizona. Clevinger has consistently pitched into the sixth and seventh, giving up 10 earned runs in four May starts.

Red-hot Ramirez leading Indians; Astros’ Bregman continues to slash

Two of the best offensive players in baseball of late have been Jose Ramirez and Alex Bregman. While they both went 1-for-4 in last Friday’s Morton/Clevinger matchup, they were central figures in the other two games.

Ramirez had two hits, an RBI and scored a run in the Tribe’s 5-4 on the Saturday, but followed it up with an 0-for-4 dud a day later. Bregman hit his fourth home run in a losing effort, and then smacked two hits a day later.

Quietly lost in the shuffle of this captivating Mookie Betts vs. Mike Trout AL MVP race is Jose Ramirez. The Indians superstar is actually tied with Trout in fWAR at 3.1. He’s also walking (12.4 BB%) considerably more than he’s punching out (8.2 K%). Incredible season so far.

— Patrick Green (@PatGreen1998) May 20, 2018

Over his last seven games Bregman has been uber consistent, hitting .296. He’s added a home run and a stolen base to go with three RBI. Bregman also has a team-best 16 doubles.

Ramirez is hitting a blazing .360, mixing in two homers and seven RBI.

Astros vs Indians Prediction

When you think about these two teams offensively, the over is pretty tempting. There’s a lot of offense on both sides. The pitchers and recent history say otherwise, though.

Two of the three games between these two teams provided less than six runs combined, one of them being the Morton/Clevinger matchup.

Morton has only given up more than two runs twice in nine starts, while Clevinger has hovered around two or three all month. Cleveland will want revenge, but the Astros (and Morton) are too good right now.

Astros 4, Indians 2