Set for September 28, 2024, the Houston Astros will square off with the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, starting at 06:10 PM under an expected light rain. The pitching matchup sees Houston’s Justin Verlander, holding an ERA of 5.197, dueling Cleveland’s Ben Lively, with an ERA of 3.866.

Navigating through the standings, the Houston Astros sit 4th in the 2024 AL West Division with 87 victories against 73 losses, reflecting a .540 winning percentage. Their intra-division performance has resulted in 29 victories and 23 defeats. The Astros are entering this game on a one-win streak, with a 6-4 record in their last 10 games. Home and away records show a 46-35 and 41-38 win-loss respectively, with a notable higher success in night games (59 wins).

The Cleveland Guardians are holding strong in the AL Central with a second-place standing, recording 92 wins and 68 losses, a .580 winning average. Like the Astros, the Guardians have won six of their recent ten matchups but recently took a loss, halting their streak. Their home advantage stands apparent with a 50-29 win record.

Looking at the odds, the point spread is set at 1.5, favoring the Cleveland Guardians slightly, reflecting the game’s competitiveness. The Over/Under is poised at 8.0, suggesting a moderately low-scoring encounter as predicted by odds-makers. For those inclined towards betting, the money line places the Astros at -102 and the Guardians at -116, a small edge given to the home team due to their slightly better season record and home performance.