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Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros Free Pick 09/15/18

Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks will be squaring off against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Fox Sports Arizona will be televising this interleague matchup and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros Odds

Arizona (+182) is the underdog to Houston (-195) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this one at 8 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total stand at -125 for the over and +105 for the under. Runline odds stand at -120 for picking the Diamondbacks +1.5 runs and +100 for the Astros -1.5.

The Diamondbacks have gone 78-70 SU this year and are 73-74 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.0 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having gained 3.0 units ATS. Arizona has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 92-55 SU and 75-71 ATS. The team’s lost 5.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 4.0 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.

Houston games have an over/under record of 65-74-7 in 2018. The Diamondbacks have also been a decent under bet with a total record of 66-75-6.

Zack Godley is getting the nod for Arizona. The right-handed Godley (14-9, 4.67 ERA) has recorded 174 punchouts in 163.2 innings so far. He has yet to face the Astros this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.

The Astros will put the ball in the right hand of Charlie Morton (14-3, 3.15 ERA, 1.20 WHIP), who has 188 strikeouts and 63 walks. Morton is 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA in one start against Arizona this year.

As a unit, Houston’s pitching staff has yielded 3.3 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 3.21 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.91, a WHIP of 1.05 and a K/9 of 10.8.

Houston’s hitters have put up 4.9 runs per contest, including 4.9 per game over its last 10 games and 4.0 per game over their last five. The team has hit .222/.316/.353 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.

Third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve have led the way for the Astros’ hitters this year. Bregman is hitting .295/.398/.553 with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored, and Altuve’s line sits at .316/.383/.456 with 12 homers, 54 RBIs, 75 runs and 15 steals.

In the visiting dugout, Arizona’s pitching staff allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.73 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.34 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.55, along with a WHIP of 1.20 and a K/9 of 8.12.

The Diamondbacks offense has slashed .238/.317/.399 on its way to 4.4 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).

Arizona’s offensive production has been fueled by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and outfielder David Peralta, who collectively have belted 60 home runs. Goldschmidt is slashing .299/.401/.558 with 33 home runs, 83 RBIs and 93 runs scored. Peralta is slashing .298/.356/.519 with 27 homers, 80 RBIs and 71 runs scored.

The Diamondbacks have lost 2.9 units and are 49-47 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 44 of those games, as opposed to 49 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 0.7 units and are 48-42 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 39 of those games, compared to 46 that’ve gone under.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Houston Astros MLB Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Diamondbacks, O/U – UNDER

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Notes

Betting Trends

Arizona has logged 17 extra-base hits over its last five games. Houston has 12 XBH over its last five.

Houston has recorded 21.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 18.8 over its last five.

The Diamondbacks have hit six home runs in their last 10 games, including four over their last five.

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Written by GMS Previews

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