Astros vs Guardians Odds: Astros Must Prove Their Metal With or Without Álvarez
Houston's Star Slugger Dealing with Oblique Discomfort

Despite a 29-33 record, the Cleveland Guardians remain within striking distance of first place. It’s the benefit of residing in the American League Central, where all five MLB teams are currently under .500, including the division-leading Twins (31-32).
Next up for Cleveland is a three-game set at home against the defending World Series champion Houston Astros. The Astros are off to another strong start at 36-27, though they may be without their biggest bat through the weekend. Houston is a slight -110 favorite to win the series, with Cleveland priced at -115.
Let’s break down more Astros vs Guardians odds in our series preview.
Alvarez Sidelined
Houston designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is expected to miss time after injuring his oblique in Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Toronto. Alvarez left the game after one at-bat, and while there was no official diagnosis, manager Dusty Baker did not sound optimistic postgame about Alvarez’s status. Taking that into account, expect the Astros vs Guardians odds to swing as first pitch approaches.
An extended absence would certainly be a big blow to Houston. Alvarez leads the Major Leagues with 55 RBI and is fourth with a .963 OPS, trailing only Aaron Judge (1.078), Yandy Diaz (.976) and Freddie Freeman (.970). Alvarez entered Thursday having reached base safely in 19 consecutive games. He currently owns the fourth-best MVP odds at +1400, behind Shohei Ohtani (-150), Adley Rutschman (+300) and Judge (+900).
The American League Rookie of the Year in 2019, Alvarez made his first All-Star appearance last season. The Cuban star hit .306 with 37 home runs and 97 RBI and won a Silver Slugger Award.
The Astros lost their third straight game against Toronto to fall to 36-27, 5.0 games behind first-place Texas in the MLB divisional standings. Their run differential of plus-59 is third-best in the AL, an indicator that Houston is likely to remain a legitimate contender.
Without Alvarez, third baseman Alex Bregman, with nine homers and 37 RBI, is Houston’s most proven run producer.
Stay Hot, Jose
Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez enjoyed a career night in Thursday’s 10-3 victory over Boston. The four-time All-Star homered in his first three plate appearances and drove in five runs. On the season, the switch-hitting Ramirez is batting .267 with nine homers and 36 RBI.
Despite a poor start to June (.200 average, .226 on-base percentage), Ramirez remains the most potent bat in Cleveland’s lineup. The Guardians have struggled to score this season, ranking 28th in runs (231), 29th in OPS (.663) and last in home runs (39).
Oddsmakers Bullish on Houston
With +550 odds, Atlanta and Tampa Bay have climbed to the top of the World Series oddsboard. That said, Houston isn’t far behind. The Astros are +600 to defend their title, matching the Dodgers’ odds.
Despite being in second place, Houston remains a -130 favorite to leapfrog Texas and win another AL West title. As for the AL pennant, only Tampa Bay (+275) has better odds than Houston (+325).
⚾ Game 1 ⚾
Logan Allen vs Christian Javier
7:10 p.m. ET
Allen has mostly lived up to the expectations that made him a top-75 prospect in baseball, recording a 2.76 ERA over his first eight starts. The 24-year-old southpaw has allowed only two runs in the last 13 innings. He opposes Javier, who is 7-1 with a 2.84 ERA. Javier, who owns the ninth-best WHIP in baseball at 0.99, has won his last five starts dating to May 10.
Houston is -1.5 (+140) on the run line and a -120 favorite to win outright, with Cleveland priced at +100, according to the Astros vs Guardians odds. The projected total is 8.
⚾ Game 2 ⚾
Triston McKenzie vs J.P. France
Saturday, 6:10 p.m. ET
In his first start of the MLB season, McKenzie pitched five shutout innings, striking out 10 and allowing only one hit, in a 2-1 victory over Minnesota on Sunday. McKenzie, who missed more than two months with a muscle strain in his shoulder, threw 79 pitches. His counterpart, France, is 1-1 with a 3.44 ERA as a rookie. Home runs (seven allowed in 34 innings) have been an issue for the 28-year-old right-hander.
⚾ Game 3 ⚾
Shane Bieber vs Brandon Bielak
Sunday, 1:40 p.m. ET
Bieber is 4-3 with a 3.57 ERA but has the lowest strikeout rate (6.1 K/9) of his career, which includes an AL Cy Young Award in 2020. Bielak is 3-2 with a 3.35 ERA.
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