Interleague games in the MLB can very often tell you more about a team than the games they play against teams from their own division or league. When you face the same teams on a regular basis, things very often have a way of leveling out, with the level of familiarity leading to a bit of a stalemate. Being able to adjust to teams that you rarely if ever see can tell you a lot about a team, especially when they are going against an opponent considered to be on of the best in the MLB.
That is where we are at right now with the interleague series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Houston Astros. You could argue that the Pirates got a little lucky in running into Houston when they are having their worst run of form of the season, but it is never easy to go on the road against a team that has been very good at home. The first two games in this series have been split, but it’s the Astros who are favored by 1 ½ for this one, with the run total set at 9 ½.
Pirates vs Astros MLB Odds, Game Info & Prediction
- When: Thursday, June 27 at 2:10 PM EST PM EST
- Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston
- Starting Pitchers: Musgrove vs. Peacock
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: Sports Radio 610 AM
- MLB Odds: Houston Astros -220 (Total 9.5)
Mets vs Phillies MLB Betting Lines & Expert Pick
Why bet on the Pittsburgh Pirates?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on a very solid run of form right now, winning 5 of their last 6 games, including an impressive 14-2 win over the Astros on Wednesday night. That has taken them to 7-3 over the last 10 games, which in turn leaves the Pirates sitting 5 games off the pace in the NL Central, which is turning into a very tight race.
This is one division that could very easily change in the second half, with just 6 games separating first from last in the Central. Overall, though, the Pirates are still 4 games below .500 at 37-41, so they really need to keep this positive run going. They are 20-22 SU on the road, but a very solid 22-16 ATS as a road dog. They will have Joe Musgrove (5-7, 4.57 ERA) on the mound for this one.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 2.21
- Hits: 4.45
- Walks: 1.31
- Strike Outs: 3.83
- Runs: 2.61
- Hits: 4.40
- Walks: 1.77
- Strike Outs: 4.23
Why bet on the Houston Astros?
It looked for a while as though the Houston Astros were going to open up an unassailable gap at the top of the AL West, but they have come back to earth with a real thud of late, with their double-digit lead now cut down to 5 ½ games. With their loss to the Pirates on Wednesday night, Houston are now a rather wobbly 2-8 in their last 10 games, although they are still sitting with a 28-12 record in their own ballpark.
Where they have not had a lot of joy this season is in interleague games, with the Astros going 4-6 SU in those 10 outings. As good as they have been at home, Houston are still just 20-19 ATS in their own ballpark. It will be Brad Peacock (6-5, 3.62 ERA) who gets the start for the Astros.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 2.54
- Hits: 4.54
- Walks: 1.90
- Strike Outs: 3.46
- Runs: 2.01
- Hits: 3.63
- Walks: 1.38
- Strike Outs: 5.01
Mariners vs Brewers MLB Betting Lines & Game Analysis
Pirates vs Astros MLB Betting Trends
- Pirates are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games this season
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Pittsburgh’s last 10 games against an opponent in the American League
- Astros are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games at home
- Pirates are 89-82 against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons
- Astros are 32-25 against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -250 over the last 2 seasons
- Pirates are 1-1 against HOUSTON this season
- 1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction
The Houston pitching staff has been having a rough go of things of late, so I would not be surprised to see this one creep over. I am on the Astros to win the rubber game in this series in a close one.
Score: Pittsburgh Pirates 5 – Houston Astros 6
