The early total has been set at 7.5 runs with the under a -120 favorite. The Astros (105-56) evened the series 1-1 after winning 10-0 on Tuesday. Justin Verlander threw five scoreless, no-hit innings – striking out 10 – to get the win. Jose Altuve went 3 for 3 with two doubles and one run in the win. Yordan Alvarez went 3 for 5 with three doubles and two runs. Garrett Stubbs was 1 for 2 with a walk for the Phillies (87-74).
ON THE MOUND
Bailey Falter (6-4, 3.90 ERA) is in line to start for Philadelphia. The left-hander threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 5-1 home win over the Nationals on Friday. He earned the win, giving up three hits while striking out six and walking two. For Houston, left-hander Framber Valdez (16-6, 2.89 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Phillies. In his last start on Friday, Valdez took the loss at home against the Rays. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up six runs on nine hits, striking out two and walking three in the 7-3 defeat. The LHP is tied for second in the AL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Philadelphia has averaged 4.6 runs a game, equal to their season average. Against southpaws like Valdez this season, the Phils have a .775 OPS, third highest in MLB. Rhys Hoskins is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a .957 OPS in 145 at-bats. Houston is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.6 for the season. The ‘Stros have a .780 OPS against left-handers in 2022, second highest in MLB. With a 1.086 OPS over 141 at-bats, Altuve has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Philadelphia is 40-40 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Houston has gone 54-26 at Minute Maid Park this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.1. In the last 10 games between the teams at Minute Maid Park, Houston is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.5-3.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Phillies are third in the NL East, 14 games behind the division-leading Braves. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero. The Astros lead the AL West by 16 games over the Mariners.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
