Guardians vs Astros Prediction - MLB Picks 8/1/23

Guardians Player Trends & Props

• Jose Ramirez homered twice in the series finale win over Chicago, and he leads Cleveland in hits (119) and home runs (18), while batting .292 and totaling 63 RBI. 

• Josh Naylor has recorded a hit in six of the last eight games, and he’s posting team-leads in batting (.306) and RBI (79), with fifteen homers. 

• Steven Kwan has plated runs in back-to-back games, and he’s tied with JRam for the team-lead in hits (119), while batting .278.

Astros Preview & Projected Starter

Houston enters at 60-47 after defeating Cleveland. The Astros closed a solid month of July by taking Game one, and they’ll look to build their division lead here. Dusty Baker’s ballclub sits in second place of the AL West, and they currently hold a wildcard position. Houston offense is scoring 4.76 runs per Game, while batting .248, with a .317 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.81 ERA, with a 1.27 WHIP. 

Framber Valdez (8-7, 3.29 ERA, 134 Ks) will take the mound for Houston. The sixth-year lefty was blitzed at home in division action by Texas, allowing six runs in just 3.2 innings en route to his seventh loss. Valdez has struggled with containment through three starts after the break, as he’s allowed four runs or more in each contest. Prior to last week, ten of Valdez’ previous eleven home outings resulted in quality starts, so there’s a chance he turns things around here.

Astros Player Trends & Props

• Kyle Tucker produced a pair of runs in the game one victory, and he leads the Astros in hits (115), with splits of .301/18/70. 

• Alex Bregman has plated a run in three of the previous five games, and he’s posting a line of .252/18/69. 

• Yordan Alvarez provided a three-run shot in Monday’s win, and he now leads the ‘Stros in homers (19), with 59 RBI.

• Chas McCormick has recorded a hit in five of the his six contests, and he’s batting .285, with thirteen homers and 44 RBI.

• Jose Abreu homered twice in the Tampa series and he’s up to ten home runs and 56 RBI for the season.

Corey’s Free Pick 

Houston came out and took care of business in game one, and they’ll turn to Framber Valdez in what could be a bounce back for him. Valdez was roughed up last week by Texas, and a second straight bad start isn’t something we’ve seen from him this season. Amed Rosario’s loss has really affected this lineup too, and if Valdez can avoid letting JRam and Josh Naylor dictate this game, the ‘Stros can double down here. Let’s roll with the hosting Houston team here in game two.