The Houston Astros (76-65) welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks (79-63) to Minute Maid Park Saturday. First pitch in the 2nd game of the 3-game series is set for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Diamondbacks vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Astros lead 1-0
The Diamondbacks lost 8-0 to the Astros Friday and have now dropped 2 in a row. They did win 2 of 3 Games at the San Francisco Giants Tuesday through Thursday, though. Arizona is 3-6 in its last 9 despite a 40-32 road record this season. It is 74-68 against the spread (ATS).
The Astros avoided a 4-game skid with Friday’s win. They had been swept in 3 games by the Cincinnati Reds in their last series Monday through Thursday, but won 5 straight prior to the sweep. Houston is 40-29 at home this season and 72-69 ATS.
Diamondbacks at Astros projected starters
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
Rodriguez (2-1, 5.33 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.38 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 6.0 K/9 through 25 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 1 K in 11-6 home loss to LA Dodgers Monday
- 2024 away stats: 2-0, 3.27 ERA (11 IP, 4 ER), 1.18 WHIP, 4.9 K/9 in 2 starts
- Career vs. Astros: 1-6, 7.38 ERA (46 1/3 IP, 38 ER), 1.73 WHIP, 7.8 K/9 in 10 starts
Kikuchi (7-9, 4.24 ERA) makes his 29th start. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 10.6 K/9 through 150 2/3 innings with the Astros and Toronto Blue Jays.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 12 K in 5-2 home win over Kansas City Royals Aug. 31
- 2024 home stats: 3-7, 4.19 ERA (86 IP, 40 ER), 1.16 WHIP, 10.7 K/9 in 15 starts
- Career vs. Diamondbacks: 0-1, 5.75 ERA (20 1/3 IP, 13 ER), 1.38 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 4 starts
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Diamondbacks at Astros odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Diamondbacks +134 (bet $100 to win $134) | Astros -158 (bet $158 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread: Diamondbacks +1.5 (-156) | Astros -1.5 (+130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: +100 | U: -122)
Diamondbacks at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, Diamondbacks 3
Moneyline
PASS.
While there is reasonable value here on both sides, the home favorite is the play; however, the odds are better played on the spread over the moneyline. Avoid this play.
Run line/Against the spread
BET ASTROS -1.5 (+130).
The Astros are 6-3 over their last 9 Games, and 5 of the victories were by multiple runs. They have covered the run line in 4 of their last 5 home Games. Since acquiring Kikuchi from Toronto, the Astros have won all 6 of his starts and 3 of his last 5 by multiple runs.
The Diamondbacks have lost back-to-back games overall, and Rodriguez has allowed a total of 8 runs in 9 1/3 innings over his last 2 starts. Arizona is 3-4 ATS in its last 7 games. Take ASTROS -1.5 (+130).
Over/Under
BET OVER 8.5 (+100).
Arizona has an electric offense and has gone Over in 7 of its last 8 games. The Diamondbacks have scored at least 6 runs in 6 of their last 8 games. They are 81-55-6 O/U on the season.
The Astros are the opposite at 56-80-5 O/U but have gone north of the total in 3 of their last 5 games. Considering those trends, take OVER 8.5 (+100).
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