The Houston Astros and the Arizona Diamondbacks meet in game two of their three-game interleague series in MLB action from Chase Field on Friday night.

Astros Trying To Secure Wild Card Spot

The Houston Astros are trying to lock up the final Wild Card spot in the American League while also pushing for the AL West title after a 2-1 win in Friday’s series opener. The win booseted the Astros to 88-72 on the year, 1 game clear of the Mariners for the final Wild Card spot and 1 game behind the Rangers for the AL West lead. Kyle Tucker leads the Astros with a .282 batting average and 111 RBIs with a .368 OBP and 36 doubles with 29 homers as well while Alex Bregman has 24 homers with 96 RBIs and a team-high 160 hits. Yordan Alvarez has a team-leading 31 homers and 97 RBIs while Tucker also has a team-high 29 stolen bases this season. Justin Verlander will get the start for the Astros here and is 12-8 with a 3.32 ERA and 139 strikeouts this season.

Houston Astros Team Facts

The Astros have won 12 of their last 13 games as road underdogs.
The Astros have covered the run line in 12 of their last 13 games as road underdogs.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Astros’ last five games at Chase Field.
The Astros have led after 7 innings in 10 of their last 11 games as road underdogs.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

Kyle Tucker has hit a home run in four of the Astros’ last five night games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
Jose Abreu has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Astros’ last five games against NL West opponents.
Jose Abreu has recorded two or more total bases in seven of his last eight road appearances against NL opponents.
Kyle Tucker has scored a run in each of the Astros’ last six games as underdogs against NL West opponents.
Justin Verlander has recorded eight or more strikeouts in each of his last five appearances against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
Jose Abreu has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 appearances against NL opponents.

Diamondbacks Still Need Win To Clinch

The Arizona Diamondbacks have one hand on a Wild Card spot in the National League, but still have to win one more game or need a Cubs & Reds loss on Saturday to make it happen. The D-Backs have a record of 84-76 after their loss in Friday’s series opener, sitting 2 games to the good in the second Wild Card spot in the NL. Christian Walker leads the Diamondbacks with 33 home runs and 103 RBIs while Ketel Marte has 157 hits and a .278 batting average. Corbin Carroll also has 25 home runs and a team-high 161 hits and 54 stolen bases with a .287 batting average, and is the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year in the National League. Merrill Kelly will start for Arizona here and is 12-7 with a 3.38 ERA and 182 strikeouts this season.

Arizona Diamondbacks Team Facts

The underdogs have won five of the Diamondbacks’ last six games at Chase Field.
The underdogs have covered the run line in 12 of the last 13 games between the Astros and Diamondbacks.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last five games between the Astros and Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks have trailed after 7 innings in three of their last four games as home favorites against AL West opponents.

Arizona Diamondbacks Player Prop Facts

Christian Walker has hit a home run in three of his last five appearances with the Diamondbacks as favorites against AL West opponents.
Gabriel Moreno has recorded an RBI in five of the Diamondbacks’ last six games against opponents that held a winning record.
Corbin Carroll has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Diamondbacks’ last four games as favorites against AL West opponents.
Corbin Carroll has scored at least one run in five of the Diamondbacks’ last six games.
Merrill Kelly has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances with the Diamondbacks as home favorites.
Ketel Marte has recorded at least one hit in each of the Diamondbacks’ last nine home games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
Corbin Carroll ranks 3rd in the league in Steals (54) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Arizona Diamondbacks rank 1st in the league for triples this season (44).
The Arizona Diamondbacks rank 2nd in the league for steals this season (165).
The Houston Astros rank 3rd in the league for hits this season (1426).
The Houston Astros rank 3rd in the league for batting average this season (.259).

Chris’ Pick

I’m looking at the under here. I’m expecting another pitcher’s duel here, this time between Verlander and Kelly as Verlander’s still an ace-caliber pitcher and Kelly’s pitched his better baseball at home. Both also need the win for their respective playoff pushes and I think we see another playoff type atmosphere here. Give me the under.