The Houston Astros will open up a series on the road at Progressive Field to take on the Cleveland Guardians. Houston dropped the opening two games in a series to the Red Sox, but bounced back with a decisive 6-1 win in game three to improve to 68-38 and continue to build on their double-digit lead in the AL West. The Guardians won two of three to the Diamondbacks securing the series win with a 7-4 win, and pulled within one game of the Twins in the AL Central race.
The Astros offense is dead in the middle of the MLB averaging 4.42 runs per game, but it's been hit or miss all season long. Yordan Alvarez has done his part, emerging as one of the best hitters in the MLB with 30 home runs, 72 RBIs and batting .303, all three of which lead the team. Houston added Trey Mancini from the Orioles at the deadline, and he made his presence felt with a home run in his first start in the series clinching win over the Red Sox.
The veteran right-hander Justin Verlander will get the start for the Astros and he's been absolutely dominant this season. Verlander is 14-3 with a 1.81 ERA and 0.87 WHIP, ranking first and second in the MLB respectively. He allowed a run on five hits and struck out five in his last start, and got plenty of help from the Astros bats as they beat the Mariners 11-1.