MLB Showdown: Astros vs D’Backs Series Preview
Stros Hanging on To Last Wild-Card SpotÂ
With less than a handful of games remaining, every series is massive for the teams who are still hoping for a postseason birth. There may not be any bigger than the final three-game series between the Houston Astros and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The ‘Stros lead the Seattle Mariners by 1.5 games after taking two of three from Seattle this week. The Diamondbacks can breathe some with a secure two-game lead leading into today’s finale with the Chicago White Sox. Oddsmakers have made Arizona a -135 home favorite, with a total of 9 (over -122). Let’s get into our Astros vs D’Backs Series preview starting with Houston.
Astros Get Stronger With Brantley Back In Line-Up
Michael Brantley isn’t quite back to everyday status, but he sure made an impact in a critical series against the Seattle Mariners after dropping four hits in the Astros’ 8-3 win, to give Houston a 2-1 road series win and some space in the hunt for a wild card spot and possible a division title.
Brantley is hitting .319 in just 47 at-bats this MLB season. You can bet that Dusty Baker is slowly ramping up his star outfielder for the postseason. To start off the last match-up of the year, Baker will send J.P France (11-6, 3,83 era) to the hill. France has alternated quality starts (not the six-inning variety) over his last six outings.
MLB 2023 stats show Houston with a 14-10 record when the New Orleans native is on the mound. Let’s switch our Astros vs D’Backs Series preview focus over to the Snakes.
No Rest For Diamondbacks
The Houston Astros will arrive in Arizona before the Diamondbacks because the D’backs are finishing off a series in Chicago while Houston has the luxury of a day off. Manager Torey Lovullo will lean on 17-game winner Zac Gallen in game one.
Gallen has been either great or not-so-good in his last five starts, but good enough for Arizona to go 3-2 in his starts. The former North Carolina Tar Heel is fresh off a sensational outing against the New York Yankees when he allowed no runs, three hits, and eight strikeouts in six innings.
It was his second shutout over his last four starts. When MLB betting lines start to form patterns, we expect the public to be on the Astros, providing us with a solid number with the home team. We conclude our Astros vs D’Backs Series preview with our official selection.
Logic Will Leave Your Bankroll Empty
Arizona is coming off a loss to the Chicago White Sox, then has to come home to face a rested and hungry Astros team. Bet the Astros, right? We’re going in the opposite direction. First, Gallen will be back in Arizona before his teammates so we’ll get a pitcher that is well-rested.
Thursday was a bad spot, but Arizona has been one of the most reliable teams to back all season with 4.27 units won, good for the 8th-best mark in all of Major League Baseball. If you’ve looked at MLB lines long enough, you would know that the oddsmakers are giving Arizona a slight edge, hoping the public will go in on Houston.
As an underdog, the Snakes are 42-45, good enough for 6.21 units of profit, the sixth best in the league. We’re making an MLB score prediction today, a day early, but we’re putting our cash behind Arizona. That concludes our Astros vs D’Backs Series preview, we wish you the best with your wagers this week.
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