The Houston Astros will be taking on the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Fox Sports Arizona will broadcast this interleague showdown. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros at Arizona Diamondbacks Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Arizona (+185) as the underdog to Houston (-200). The total is sitting at 8 runs and bettors can take the over for +110 and the under for -130. Bettors can also wager on the games runline with the most recent odds standing at -140 for the Astros -1.5 runs and +120 for the Diamondbacks +1.5.
The Astros are 21-14 SU and have gone 17-17 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.0 units for moneyline bettors through the early part of the year and 2.4 units ATS. Houston is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, are 22-11 SU and 17-15 ATS. They’ve gained 11.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 3.0 units ATS. Arizona has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven.
Arizona games have an over/under record of 14-16-2 so far in 2018. Houston has been a decent under bet with a total record of 13-19-2.
Justin Verlander will get the nod for the visiting Astros. The right-handed Verlander is 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 62 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Diamondbacks this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (1-0, 4.50 ERA and seven strikeouts over six innings).
The Diamondbacks are putting the ball in the hands of righty Matt Koch (1-0, 2.37 ERA), who’s got 14 strikeouts and seven walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.00. Koch did not record any MLB pitching stats last season.
Houston’s pitching staff allowed 2.9 runs per game and its starters own a 2.41 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 10.81 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.39, along with a K/9 of 10.06.
The Astros offense has slashed .252/.334/.396 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.3 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 3.2 per game over the teams last five contests (1-4 SU).
Houston’s hitters have been powered by shortstop Carlos Correa and right fielder George Springer. Correa is hitting .298/.366/.508 with five home runs, 25 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Springer (.273/.338/.476) has produced seven homers, 21 RBIs and 28 runs scored.
For the home team, Arizona’s pitching staff has allowed 3.4 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have a 3.68 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.24, a WHIP of 1.04 and a K/9 of 8.3.
The Arizona offense has put up 4.3 runs per outing, including 3.7 per game over its last 10 games and 2.2 per game over its last five. The teams hit .185/.277/.293 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Diamondbacks hitters have been led by outfielders A.J. Pollock and David Peralta. Pollock is hitting .298/.351/.653 with 10 home runs, 27 RBIs, 21 runs and eight stolen bases, and Peralta’s line sits at .296/.394/.528 with six homers, 19 RBIs and 17 runs.
The Astros have gained 0.6 units and are 12-11 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in nine of those games, as opposed to 13 that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Diamondbacks have netted 3.1 units and are 8-9 ATS when facing a righty starter. The overs cashed in nine of those games, compared to eight that went under the total.
Houston Astros vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Houston has recorded 19.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 19.6 over its last five.
- The Astros have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Diamondbacks have hit 13 over their last 10.
