Hot-hitting Jordan Walker will be looking to extend his 16-game hitting streak as the St. Louis Cardinals (-170) host the Houston Astros (+145) at Busch Stadium on Thursday with the three-game Interleague series knotted at 1-1. Look out for plenty of offense with the early total at 9.5 runs (O: -110 | U: -110).
The Astros (43-37) evened up the series 1-1 after winning 10-7 on Wednesday. Seth Martinez threw one scoreless inning out of the bullpen to get the win, and Ryan Pressly earned his 15th save with a scoreless ninth.
Jose Altuve was 2 for 3 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and drove in three. Kyle Tucker went 3 for 5 with two doubles, two runs, and one RBI. Paul Goldschmidt went 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs for the Cardinals (33-46). Brendan Donovan added a home run and two runs.
ON THE MOUND
J.P. France (2-3, 3.54 ERA) is slated to start for Houston. The right-hander allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 3-2 home defeat against the Dodgers on Friday.
He was charged with the loss, giving up eight hits while striking out four and walking two. For St. Louis, righty Adam Wainwright (3-2, 6.56 ERA) will toe the rubber.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Astros. In his last start on Saturday, Wainwright took the loss at home against the Cubs. He threw three innings and gave up seven runs on 11 hits, walking one, in the 9-1 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Houston has averaged 5.4 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.5. Against right-handed pitchers like Wainwright this season, the ‘Stros have a .713 OPS. Yordan Alvarez has been the team’s biggest slugger against right-handers with a .565 SLG in 230 at-bats.
St. Louis is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.6 for the season. The Cards have a .754 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .917 OPS over 227 at-bats, Goldschmidt has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Houston is 21-18 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. St. Louis has gone 15-23 at home this season, averaging 5.2 runs per game while surrendering 5.4.
The teams have split their last 10 games at Busch Stadium, though Houston has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.1-4.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros are second in the AL West, six games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, nine games behind the Reds.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
