Arizona Diamondbacks (47-99) vs. Houston Astros (85-60)
September 17, 2021 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Astros -303 / Arizona Diamondbacks +205; Over/Under: +9
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The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Houston Astros meet Friday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. Arizona is coming off a series versus the Dodgers this week. The Diamondbacks didn’t have any luck there and got swept in three games. As for the Astros, they played the Rangers this week. Houston won two of the first three games, then in the Thursday finale the Astros put up a blowout victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arizona lost to the Dodgers 5-1 on Monday, then followed that up with two more losses 8-4 Tuesday and 5-3 in the Wednesday game. In the finale, Arizona starter Merrill Kelly gave up four earned on 10 hits and two walks in just 4.2 frames.
Starting pitcher for Arizona on Friday will be Madison Bumgarner. This year Bumgarner has a 7-10 record overall with a 4.66 ERA and 112 strikeouts to his credit.
Over on the Astros’ side, they lost 8-1 to the Rangers on Tuesday but otherwise won 15-1 in the Monday game and 7-2 on Wednesday. In the Thursday finale Houston scored seven runs in the fourth on the way to a victory and series win. Luis Garcia put up 5.1 innings with one earned on three walks and five hits.
For the Friday start the Astros will send out RHP Brandon Bielak. This year Bielak is 3-3 with a 4.47 ERA and 37 strikeouts.
The Diamondbacks are 10-25 in their last 35 in game one of a series and 32-86 in their last 118 overall. Arizona is also 7-19 in their last 26 Friday games.
Meanwhile, the Astros are 90-36 in their last 126 in game one of a series and 45-19 in their last 64 Friday games. Houston is also 46-20 in their last 66 at home versus a left-handed starter.
PICK: I’m going to stick with Houston here. Arizona had a rough series versus the Dodgers, giving up a total of 18 runs across three games. That doesn’t bode well for Bumgarner, who hasn’t been great lately. Over his last three starts Bumgarner has 15 earned runs on 20 hits, 10 walks and five homers in 17.0 innings. Houston should have some early opportunities to put up runs in this one.
