The Cleveland Guardians host the Houston Astros on April 22, 2026. First pitch from Progressive Field is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on SCHN.
The Guardians are favored by -143 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Astros are +119 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 8 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Astros vs Guardians prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Astros vs Guardians Prediction
- Astros vs Guardians Pick: Guardians ML -135 | Play to -145
My Astros vs Guardians best bet is on the Guardians moneyline. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Astros vs Guardians Odds
| Astros Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -205 | 8 -105o / -115u | +110 |
| Guardians Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +168 | 8 -105o / -115u | -130 |
- Astros vs Guardians moneyline: Astros +119, Guardians -143
- Astros vs Guardians over/under: 8 (-108o / -112u)
- Astros vs Guardians spread: +1.5 (-186), – 1.5 (+153)
Astros vs Guardians Probable Pitchers
| Peter Lambert (RHP) | Stat | Tanner Bibee |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | W-L | 0-2 |
| 0.2 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.2 |
| 7.20/4.90 | ERA / xERA | 4.81/4.80 |
| 1.73/2.28 | FIP / xFIP | 4.49/3.70 |
| 1.60 | WHIP | 1.52 |
| 29.2 | K-BB% | 13.1 |
| 46.2 | GB% | 45.9 |
| 95 | Stuff+ | 101 |
| 95 | Location+ | 103 |
Astros vs Guardians MLB Betting Preview
Houston Astros Betting Preview: Astros Agression Creates Regression
The bats have been hot in this series for both sides as we've seen 24 runs over the first two games. However, in this rubber match, it's clear that the Astros are going to need to slug their way to victory.
That has been their most effective method as they rank third in the majors in wRC+ . Although they have some glaring holes that could lead to their downfall offensively.
Houston has produced at a high level while holding a below-average hard-hit rate and a slightly below-average contact rate. These numbers, combined with their low strikeout rate, show that their aggressiveness has paid off, but is due to hurt them moving forward.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee is in line to capitalize on the Astros ' aggression as he can produce whiffs, but only throws a first pitch strike 59.8 percent of the time.
A majority of their contacts are likely to be on the ground as well. Houston grounball rate is relatively high, and Bibee has an elite flyball rate.
Everything here points to the Astros taking a step back at the plate in this one
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview: Prepare Lambert for Liftoff
The Guardians are not the first lineup you think of when it comes to offense, but they've been solid to start the season. Cleveland is elite at putting the ball in play and has the second-lowest groundball rate in the majors.
That amount of contact will prove to be troublesome for Astros starter Peter Lambert. Lambert has only thrown five innings this season and has a 7.20 ERA to show for it.
While it's clear he's struggled in his small sample of work, a look at his Spring Training numbers only highlights his struggles even more. In 12 innings of work this spring, Lambert allowed an average exit velocity of 93.3 mph and had a WHIP of 1.70.
Cleveland will generate plenty of traffic against him early. This game will come down to how many times they are able to cash in on those opportunities in the early going.
Astros vs Guardians Pick, Betting Analysis
The pitching mismatch here is clear, as Peter Lambert is in for a rough time against a Cleveland lineup that won't whiff or get themselves out by chasing.
We should see the Guardians get on the board early while Tanner Bibee gets crafty against the Houston bats.
Back the Guardians to take this one and secure the series.
Pick: Guardians ML -135
