MLB picks: Indians vs. White Sox, Astros vs. A's

Friday’s best bets on the diamond come from a pair of divisional games. The action gets started with the AL Central’s Indians and White Sox, before the AL West’s Astros and Athletics join the fray.

Cleveland Indians (8-6) at Chicago White Sox (7-6), 8:10 p.m. ET

The Indians’ lineup has struggled to produce so far in 2020, but they should relish another matchup with White Sox starter Dylan Cease on Friday night.

Cleveland is hitting just .192 as a team this year (29th) with only 10 home runs (T-23rd), but this lineup was able to tee off on Cease on July 28. The Tribe notched four runs on seven hits – including homers from shortstop Francisco Lindor and center fielder Bradley Zimmer – over just 2 1/3 innings. Cease also struggled in his lone start against the Indians in his 2019 rookie campaign, allowing four runs on four hits and a pair of walks over 6 2/3 innings.

Aaron Civale, the opposing pitcher on July 28 and once again here, scattered seven hits while allowing just two runs over six frames against Chicago in their most recent meeting. He’ll go as long as he can before turning things over to a Cleveland bullpen that’s second in the majors in ERA (1.34).

MLB Free Play: Indians moneyline

Houston Astros (6-6) at Oakland Athletics (9-4), 9:10 p.m. ET

The Astros are in a rare position to cash as underdogs on Friday night, though they’ll have to go through the red-hot A’s – winners of six straight – to do so.

Zack Greinke, who’s been on a tight leash as he pitched himself into shape over his first two efforts of 2020, toes the rubber for Houston. He’s off to a shaky start (5.00 ERA) but his reputation precedes him. Lest bettors forget Greinke was 18-5 last year with a 2.93 ERA. And in two starts against Oakland last year (13 innings), he allowed a mere run to come across.

Greinke should get plenty of support from Houston’s top-rated lineup by runs per game (5.92). A’s starter Chris Bassitt, though off to a solid beginning this season (1-0, 0.93 ERA in two outings), struggled against the ‘Stros in 2019, producing a 5.00 ERA and allowing a .271 opponent batting average over three outings (18 innings). Bassitt will want to pay close attention to second baseman Jose Altuve, who’s 5-for-14 lifetime against him and just broke out with a three-hit performance on Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

MLB Free Play: Astros moneyline