Houston Astros - Cleveland Indians

The Astros and Indians will wrap up their 4-game series at Progressive Field on Thursday with an early afternoon clash. David Paulino will make his Major League debut for Houston, taking the hill vs. Trevor Bauer (Cleveland).  Paulino, a 6-foot-7 right hander, is the No. 4 prospect in Houston's system.  He last started a game for Triple-A Fresno on September 1, when he threw (5)-five scoreless innings. Paulino's record is 5-4 with a 2.00 ERA and 106 strikeouts across 90 innings.  Bauer's record for the year is 10-6, 3.70 ERA.  Bauer lasted 8 1/3 innings his last time out, against the Marlins, allowing 3-three runs, all of which came in the first inning.  Bauer struck out four and walked three in the win.  He has made 4-four excellent starts in his career against Houston, going 4-0 with a 0.67 ERA.  With that said, I am picking Cleveland Indians with a spread of (+1.5) Runs.

UPDATE September 08, 2016 - FINAL Result: Houston Astros 7-10 Cleveland Indians.  Cleveland pulled off a 10-7 victory over the Astros on Thursday afternoon. With the win, the Tribe salvaged a split of the 4-game series at Progressive Field. Abraham Almonte had a two-run triple, and first baseman Carlos Santana launched his 30th home run in the fifth, but it was a call by home-plate umpire Jim Joyce in the third that helped sway the momentum for Cleveland. The victory helped the American League Central-leading Indians increase their lead to six games over the second-place Tigers. Houston, meanwhile, slipped to 2 1/2 games back of the Orioles for the AL's second Wild Card spot.