Heated Verlander debate perfectly encapsulates tricky Astros balancing act
VERDICT ON VERLANDER
17 September 2021
As Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander prepares to enter free agency this offseason, ESPN Houston's Jake Asman and Cody Stoots debate the pitcher's future and how much teams will be willing to pay the 38-year-old player coming off of Tommy John surgery.
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Quiet variables that could shape Astros’ series with Cleveland
Jul 7, 2025, 12:52 pm
The Houston Astros return home riding high and red-hot, while the Cleveland Guardians limp into Daikin Park desperately searching for answers.
Winners of eight of their last ten, the Astros (55-35) open a three-game set Monday night against a Guardians club that hasn’t won in ten straight. Houston has risen to the top of the AL West thanks to a combination of dominant pitching and a surging offense, and they’ll look to keep that momentum rolling behind rookie lefty Colton Gordon (3-1, 4.37 ERA). Gordon has given Houston quality innings over the past month, and he’ll get the ball against a Guardians offense that has been ice-cold in July.
Cleveland (40-48) enters the night on a three-game road skid and with just 20 wins away from home all season. They’re hitting just .166 over their last ten games and have been outscored by 33 runs during that stretch. If they’re going to end the slide, they’ll need right-hander Tanner Bibee (4-9, 4.10 ERA) to contain an Astros lineup that’s been clicking. The 25-year-old Bibee has been better than his record shows, but Houston’s .304 team average over the last ten games suggests he’ll have his hands full.
All eyes remain on Jose Altuve, who has caught fire with 13 hits and four homers in his last 10 games. On the Cleveland side, Jose Ramirez continues to be the heartbeat of the offense, leading the club in homers, RBIs, and batting average. But he’ll need help, something that’s been sorely lacking during the Guardians’ recent skid.
Houston has been dominant at Daikin Park with a 32-14 home record, and if recent trends hold, they’ll be a tough draw for a Guardians team in freefall. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -162, Guardians +136; over/under is 7 1/2 runs
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