Houston Astros vs. Arizona Diamondbacks – 9/19/20 MLB Pick, Odds, and Prediction

The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Houston Astros meet in MLB action from Minute Maid Park on Saturday.

The Arizona Diamondbacks will try to build off of a 6-3 win over the Astros on Friday. Kole Calhoun led the way with a pair of home runs and four RBIs while Pavin Smith added a triple and an RBI as well. Christian Walker and Nick Ahmed each went 2 for 4 at the dish and Daulton Varsho had a double while Carson Kelly, Josh VanMeter and Josh Rojas all had a base hit to finish off the offense for Arizona in the winning effort. Zac Gallen got the win to improve to 2-2 on the year after allowing one run on six hits while striking out six over six innings of work. Stefan Crichton closed out the 9th for his 4th save. Luke Weaver will start here and is 1-7 with a 6.70 ERA and 44 strikeouts this season. This will be Weaver’s first career start against Houston.

The Houston Astros will try to bounce back from their loss to the D-Backs on Friday. George Springer had a solo home run and Kyle Tucker went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI as well. Michael Brantley went 2 for 4 and Jose Altuve had a double while Carlos Correa added a base hit as well to cap off Houston’s offense as a team in the loss. Zack Greinke allowed three runs on six hits while striking out nine over five innings of work, not factoring in the decision. Luis Garcia ended up with the loss in relief, falling to 0-1 on the year as a result. Cristian Javier will start here and is 4-2 with a 3.22 ERA and 42 strikeouts this season. This will be Javier’s second career start against Arizona.

Arizona is 6-21 in their last 27 games overall and 10-25 in their last 35 road games while the over is 4-0-1 in their last 5 games overall. Houston is 4-10 in their last 14 games overall and 55-27 in their last 82 games against the NL West while the over is 4-0 in their last 4 Saturday games. The over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between these two teams.

I’ll concede that I’ve given Weaver a lot of flack, but he’s pitched better lately and the Diamondbacks have provided some value. However, Weaver’s still not a pitcher I’m looking to back, especially with a 1-7 record and a swollen ERA. Javier gave up one run in six innings in his first start against the D-Backs and if he can replicate that start, I like Houston’s chances here. Give me the Astros in this one.