The Houston Astros (78-58) and Cincinnati Reds (50-86) begin a 3-game series Monday. First pitch from Coors Field is set for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Reds odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Reds won all 3 meetings in 2023
The Astros head to Cincinnati after a 4-Game sweep of the Kansas City Royals over the weekend at home. They outscored Kansas City 21-9 in the series. They hold a 6-Game lead in the AL West over the Seattle Mariners. Houston is 36-33 on the road.
Cincinnati snapped a 3-game losing streak on Sunday with a 4-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers. They have lost 5 of 7 thus far during their 10-game homestand. Cincinnati is 33-39 at home and the Reds have no shot at making the postseason.
Astros at Reds projected starters
RHP Justin Verlander vs. RHP Julian Aguiar
Verlander (3-4, 4.16 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 1.22 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 67 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 5-0 road loss against Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday
- 2024 away splits: 3-2, 3.77 ERA (45 1/3 IP, 20 R (19 ER), 1.17 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 14 starts
- Last start vs Reds: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 2-1 road victory on May 10, 2023, as a member of the New York Mets
Aguiar (1-0, 6.43 ERA) makes his 4th career start. He has a 1.50 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 4.5 K/9 in 14 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 6 ER, 10 H, 1 BB, 1 K in 10-9 home victory against Oakland A’s Thursday
- 2024 away splits: 3-2, 3.77 ERA (45 1/3 IP, 20 R (19 ER), 1.17 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 14 starts
- Firsti time facing Astros
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Astros at Reds odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:07 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros -162 (bet $162 to win $100) | Reds +136 (bet $100 to win $136)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread: Astros -1.5 (-106) | Reds +1.5 (-113)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Astros at Reds picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, Rockies 3
Moneyline
PASS.
The Astros (-166) will take the opener of this series in Cincinnati, but I’d rather put my wager on the run line.
Run line/Against the spread
BET ASTROS -1.5 (-106).
The Astros seem to be finding their groove after a strong weekend at home, and that momentum should carry over as they head to Cincinnati on Monday. While Houston struggled during their last road trip, it was against tough teams like Baltimore and Philadelphia.
The Reds, on the other hand, have dropped 12 of their last 17 games and are just playing out the string at this point. Cincinnati is sending rookie pitcher Aguiar to the mound for his 4th career start, and his 1st against the Astros.
Meanwhile, Houston will counter with 19-year veteran Verlander. With the Astros 19-18 in interleague play this season, backing them at -1.5 looks like a solid bet.
Over/Under
PASS.
The market seems to be indifferent to the run total sitting at 9, and I agree, but I’m not confident enough to recommend this bet. I don’t like the trends in either direction.
These teams are 4-6 O/U in the last 10 meetings. The Astros are 4-5-1 O/U in their last 10 games.
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