Arizona Diamondbacks (47-100) vs. Houston Astros (87-60)
September 19, 2021 2:10 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Astros -238 / Arizona Diamondbacks +170; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Houston Astros meet Sunday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. This will be the final installment in a three-game series over the weekend. The Astros eked out a one-run win on Friday in the opener. In the Saturday game, the Diamondbacks put up a two-run victory to even it up. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arizona posted a go-ahead run in the 10th inning Friday, but gave up two in the bottom of the frame for a 4-3 loss. In the Saturday game, Arizona posted three runs in the top of the 10th inning on the way to a 6-4 win. Humberto Castellanos put up 5.0 innings with three earned runs on eight hits and a walk.
For the starting pitcher job in the Sunday finale, the Diamondbacks are going with Zac Gallen. Across his 20 starts this year Gallen has a 2-10 record with a 4.44 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 103.1 innings of work.
Over on the Astros’ side, they had just four team hits (and gave up 10 on the other side) during the Friday win, but got the job done. On Saturday Houston scored one run in the bottom of the 10th but couldn’t catch back up. Starter Lance McCullers lasted 6.0 frames on two earned with seven hits and two walks.
Starting pitcher for the Astros Sunday will be Zack Greinke. In 164.2 innings this year Greinke has 157 hits, 75 runs (72 earned), 28 homers, 35 walks, 114 Ks and a 3.94 ERA.
The Diamondbacks are 8-20 in their last 28 interleague games and 32-87 in their last 119 overall. Arizona is also 18-58 in their last 76 versus a team with a winning record.
Meanwhile, the Astros are 147-71 in their last 218 at home and 3-7 in their last 10 in game three of a series. The under is 3-1-1 in Houston’s last five in game three of a series as well.
PICK: I’m going to take a stab on the Diamondbacks here. Greinke has had some troubles over his last two starts, giving up 13 earned on 14 hits, four homers and five walks across 9.0 combined innings. As for Gallen, he’s been spotty himself with 12.0 innings and seven earned over his last two games. With a decent start from Gallen and a little help from the offense though I think Arizona could snag a win here.
