Heading into the final weekend of the regular MLB betting season, all that a team can really hope for, assuming they have not yet clinched a playoff spot, is that they are in control of their own destiny. That is exactly where the Houston Astros find themselves right now, as they are in possession of the final Wild Card spot in the AL. They will be in Arizona on Sunday, where they hope to seal the deal.
Houston Astros vs Arizona Diamondbacks MLB Betting Preview
Date: Sunday, October 04, 2015 Time: 3:10PM Venue: Chase Field
All eyes on the Wild West as @Angels win a thriller, @astros put up 21: http://t.co/CHaQPrFn2z @USAA #FastCast pic.twitter.com/6NVj7D5H6Q
— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2015
The last week to 10 days had had a playoff feel to it for the Houston Astros (84-75), as they have been in a fight that has seen them needing to pick up wins in order to stay alive. With just 3 games to play in the regular season, the Astros hold a one game lead over the LA Angels and the Minnesota Twins. They got there by winning back to back series against the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners, and you have to think that a similar sort of result over the 3 games against Arizona this weekend will be enough to get them into the Wild Card game versus the New York Yankees. They will be taking nothing for granted, though, as they will be aware that the Diamondbacks are finishing off the season on a pretty good run of form. Lance McCullers (6-7, 3.21 ERA) will get the start for the Astros.
The Diamondbacks (78-81) represent what could well be a major landmine for the Astros. They have been playing well, going 7-3 over their last 10 games, and will be relishing the prospect of playing some sort of role in the playoff picture. Arizona is coming into this one on a 4-game winning streak, and have been playing pretty well defensively during that stretch. The Astros are a totally different team away from the cozy confines of Minute Maid Park, which further thickens the plot in this crucial series. These two teams met back in the early part of August, and it was the Astros who came away with a win in that one, albeit in their own ball park. Robbie Ray (5-12, 3.50 ERA) will get the start for Arizona on Sunday.
