Guardians vs. Astros: Game 1 prediction, lineup, odds, injuries, and picks

The Cleveland Guardians couldn’t have picked a worse time to face the league’s hottest team, the Houston Astros, as they head to Texas for a three-game series.

The Guardians have been winless in their last ten games. They were in contention with the Detroit Tigers for the top spot in the AL Central but are currently fourth with a 40-48 record.

While the Guardians are the worst team in baseball in the last 30 games, the Astros are the best, winning 22 of those games, including two wins against their opponents last month. They are also coming off a three-game series sweep over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Guardians vs. Astros Game 1: Betting Odds & Weather

Time: Monday, 8:10 p.m. EDT

Money Line: Guardians (+140), Astros (-165)

Total Runs: Over 7.5 runs (even), Under 7.5 runs (-120)

Weather: In domed stadium, not applicable

Guardians vs. Astros Game 1: Injuries & Lineups

Injuries

Guardians

Lane Thomas: 10-Day IL (foot),
Gabriel Arias: 10-Day IL (ankle),
Will Brennan: 60-Day IL (forearm),
Andrew Walters: 60-Day IL (lat),
Ben Lively: 60-Day IL (forearm),
Shane Bieber: 60-Day IL (elbow),
Trevor Stephan: 60-Day IL (elbow),
John Means: 60-Day IL (elbow),
Sam Hentges: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

Astros

Yordan Alvarez: 60-Day IL (hand),
Luis Guillorme: 10-Day IL (hamstring),
Jeremy Pena: 10-Day IL (rib),
Jacob Melton: 10-Day IL (ankle),
Shawn Dubin: 15-Day IL (forearm),
Pedro Leon: 60-Day IL (knee),
Brendan Rodgers: 10-Day IL (oblique),
Spencer Arrighetti: 60-Day IL (thumb),
Chas McCormick: 10-Day IL (oblique),
Ronel Blanco: 60-Day IL (elbow),
Zach Dezenzo: 10-Day IL (hand),
Hayden Wesneski: 60-Day IL (elbow),
Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow),
Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (elbow),
J.P. France: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

Expected Lineups

Guardians

LF Steven Kwan [L]
DH K. Manzardo [L]
3B Jose Ramirez [S]
1B C. Santana [S]
2B D. Schneemann [L]
CF A. Martinez [S]
RF Nolan Jones [L]
C Bo Naylor [L]
SS B. Rocchio [S]

Astros

3B I. Paredes [R]
CF Jake Meyers [R]
2B Jose Altuve [R]
RF Cam Smith [R]
1B C. Walker [R]
DH V. Caratini [S]
C Yainer Diaz [R]
LF C. Hummel [S]
SS M. Dubon [R]

Guardians vs. Astros Game 1: Picks and prediction

The Astros' offense, despite missing several key players in their lineup, has once again climbed the leaderboards to be the best in the league, averaging .231. Jose Altuve, Victor Caratini, Christian Walker and Yainer Diaz seem to be carrying wind behind their sails every time they get to the plate. They will face Guardians starter Tanner Bibee (4-9, 4.10 ERA) this time around.

Colton Gordon (3-1, 4.37 ERA) will be tested against Guardians batters like Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez, but a strong collective performance is expected to hand them the win.

Picks: Astros (-165), Under 7.5 runs

Prediction: Astros 4, Guardians 3

About the author

Nikhil Parshy is a baseball and ice hockey journalist at Sportskeeda, and after starting out as a cricket reporter, he has been an analyst with SK since November 2022. His interest in the sports were piqued a few years back after watching highlights on YouTube and he has followed the game ever since.

The Chicago Cubs breaking the 108-year curse in 2016 to lift the World Series remains Nikhil's favorite baseball moment. Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani has been his favorite player ever since he started following the game, while the LA Dodgers are his favorite team.

As a writer, Nikhil maintains a strong attention to detail and rigorously cross-checks information. He seeks to strike a balance in his writing such that the regular reader gains an insight into player profiles, while also keeping in mind that the non-regular reader is not put off by jargon and shallow analysis.

Nikhil is an avid public speaker, and when not writing about baseball, he regularly participates in debates and quizzes.

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Edited by Nadim El Kak

Guardians vs. Astros: Game 1 prediction, lineup, odds, injuries, and picks - July 7, 2025

Guardians vs. Astros Game 1: Betting Odds & Weather

Guardians vs. Astros Game 1: Injuries & Lineups

Injuries

Guardians

Astros

Expected Lineups

Guardians

Astros

Guardians vs. Astros Game 1: Picks and prediction