Astros vs Cardinals Prediction 4/17/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate an Astros vs Cardinals prediction for this MLB game on Friday, April 17th at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros are 8-12 this year after they won two out of three against the Rockies by scores of 7-6, 3-1, and 2-3. In game three, Houston led 2-0 in the first inning, but they went scoreless over the last eight innings in the low scoring loss. The Astros recorded five hits in the game and they were led by Alvarez and Loperfido, who both had one RBI. Weiss allowed three hits and two earned runs over 3.2 innings, while Roa was charged with the loss. Prior to that series, Houston lost all three against the Mariners and all three against the Rockies. 

This season, Houston has a 6.01 ERA with a 1.67 WHIP and a .265 opponent batting average, while they have scored 107 runs with a .264 batting average and a .358 on base percentage. Yordan Alvarez has led the Astros with seven home runs and 18 RBIs, while Christian Walker has added four home runs and 16 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Peter Lambert, who is making his first appearance of the year. 

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals are 10-8 this season after they won two out of three against the Guardians by scores of 3-9, 6-5, and 5-3. In game three, St. Louis had their lead cut to 4-3 in the top of the seventh inning, but they added a run in the bottom half of the inning to seal the win. The Cardinals recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Burleson, who went 2-5 with two RBIs. May allowed six hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the win, while O’Brien picked up the save. Prior to that series, St. Louis lost two out of three against the Red Sox, but won two out of three against the Nationals before that. 

This season, St. Louis has a 4.94 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP and a .264 opponent batting average, while they have scored 80 runs with a .231 batting average and a .326 on base percentage. Jordan Walker has led the Cardinals with eight home runs and 15 RBIs, while Alec Burleson has added two home runs and 14 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Kyle Leahy, who is 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP over 14.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Houston Astros will win

• The Cardinals have lost each of their last six road games against American League opponents following a home win.
• The home team has won 10 of the Astros’ last 11 games.
• The Astros have covered the run line each of their last nine Friday games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in 13 of their last 14 road games against AL West opponents following a win.
• The Astros have won the first inning in five of their last six home games.
• The Astros have led after 3 innings in seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents.
• The Cardinals have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs.

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Astros have lost six of their last eight games as favorites.
• The Cardinals have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Astros.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites.
• The Cardinals have covered the run line in three of their last four games against the Astros.
• The Astros have lost the first inning in six of their last eight games.
• The Astros have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five night games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five night games against opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Cardinals’ last four games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Five of the Astros’ last six home games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Astros’ last eight games.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cardinals’ last four games.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Yainer Diaz has hit a home run in each of the Astros’ last three home games against the Cardinals.
• Jeremy Pena has recorded at least one hit in each of the Astros’ last nine games against the Cardinals.
• Yordan Alvarez ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.731) this season.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Alec Burleson has hit a home run in two of the Cardinals’ last three road games against the Astros.
• Alec Burleson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine road appearances against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Jordan Walker ranks T1st in the league in Home Runs (8) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Astros rank T1st in the league for runs scored this season (107).
• The Astros rank 1st in the league for doubles this season (50).
• The Cardinals rank 30th in the league for strikeouts this season (111).
• The Cardinals rank T27th in the league for doubles this season (22).

Astros vs Cardinals Prediction 

Houston comes into this matchup after winning their last series against Colorado, but they struggled in the two series prior to that. The Astros are 7-3 at home this year, while the Cardinals are 3-3 on the road. St. Louis just won two out of three against the Guardians, but they have allowed at least five runs in four of their last five. I don’t know what to expect from Lambert on the mound, but I don’t like how Leahy has pitched. Take the Astros at home here.