The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Houston Astros meet Saturday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. Here’s a Houston Astros vs Arizona Diamondbacks prediction. This will be the second installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Astros vs Diamondbacks pick.
Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Preview
The Diamondbacks took on the San Francisco Giants this week, winning the first pair before a 3-2 loss in the finale. On Friday in the opener versus Houston, Arizona took an 8-0 blowout loss. Starter Brandon Pfaadt went 4.2 innings with four earned runs.
In the starter slot for the Diamondbacks on Saturday it’ll be Eduardo Rodriguez. This year Rodriguez is 2-1 with a 5.33 ERA. Over 207 career games (201 starts) Rodriguez is 84-54 with a 4.06 ERA.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
Over on the Astros’ side, they took a three-game sweep thanks to the Cincinnati Reds in their last set with losses 5-3, 12-5, and 1-0. On Friday Houston out-hit the Diamondbacks 12-2 in the win. Starting pitcher Framber Valdez finished with 7.0 innings, two hits, and three walks.
Yusei Kikuchi will start for the Astros on Saturday. This year Kikuchi is 7-9 with a 4.24 ERA in 28 starts. Kikuchi is 39-46 with a 4.62 career ERA in 162 games (150 starts).
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Diamondbacks’ last eight day games against AL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the last five games between the Diamondbacks and Astros at Minute Maid Park have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Astros’ last seven home games against National League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Diamondbacks’ last three games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Yainer Diaz has recorded a Double in three of the Astros’ last four home games against NL opponents.
- Yordan Alvarez has hit at least one home run in four of his last five appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
- Ben Gamel has scored a run in each of his last seven appearances with his team as a home favorite.
- Alex Bregman has recorded at least one RBI in six of his last seven appearances in day games against NL West teams that held a winning record.
- Yusei Kikuchi has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances with the Astros as favorites.
- Yusei Kikuchi has recorded seven or more strikeouts in six of his last seven appearances with his team as a home favorite.
- Yainer Diaz has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Astros’ last nine home games against NL opponents.
- Jose Altuve has recorded at least one Single in seven of the Astros’ last eight games as favorites against NL West opponents.
- Kyle Tucker has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
Arizona Diamondbacks Player Prop Facts
- Eugenio Suarez has recorded a Double in four of his last five appearances in day games against AL teams that held a winning record.
- Ketel Marte has hit a home run in five of his last six road appearances after playing the previous day.
- Eduardo Rodriguez has recorded a win in seven of his last eight road appearances against AL opponents.
- Geraldo Perdomo has scored a run in eight of his last nine appearances with the Diamondbacks as road underdogs.
- Ketel Marte has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last six road appearances after playing the previous day.
- Eduardo Rodriguez has recorded five or more strikeouts in 12 of his last 14 appearances in day games.
- Corbin Carroll has recorded at least one Single in each of the Diamondbacks’ last four day games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Corbin Carroll has recorded at least one total base in each of the Diamondbacks’ last 10 day games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Corbin Carroll has recorded at least one hit in each of the Diamondbacks’ last 10 day games against opponents that held a winning record.
Houston Astros vs Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction
I’m leaning toward Houston. Kikuchi is pitching well right now. Over his last three starts, Kikuchi is 1-0 with 18.1 combined innings and five earned runs (three in one start). As for Rodriguez, he’s given up eight earned over his last 9.1 innings in two appearances.
In the Friday matchup, Houston got a great effort from the pitching staff. the bullpen gave up just one walk, zero hits, and no earned runs in the victory. I like Houston to finish strong behind Kikuchi on Sunday.