The Philadelphia Phillies (87-73) take on the Houston Astros (104-56) Tuesday at Minute Maid Park at 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Phillies vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Phillies lead 1-0
The Phillies are on a 3-game winning streak after a rough ending to September where they lost 5 of their last 6 games. Philadelphia has clinched a playoff spot, but is only 1 game behind the San Diego Padres for the No. 2 wild-card spot in the NL with 2 games remaining.
The Astros have won 5 of their last 8 games and they’ll finish with the best record in the AL. Houston has the No. 1 seed in the AL locked up, so the team may rest some of its starters in the final 2 games of the regular season.
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Phillies at Astros projected starters
LHP Ranger Suarez vs. RHP Justin Verlander
Suarez (10-6, 3.37 ERA) makes his 29th start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 in 152 1/3 IP.
- Has gone 6 IP or more in 4 consecutive starts
- Has given up 2 ER or fewer in 3 straight starts
Verlander (17-4, 1.80 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 0.85 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 170 IP.
- Has not given up a HR in 9 straight starts
- Hasn’t surrendered more than 2 ER in 5 consecutive starts
Phillies at Astros odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:43 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Phillies +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Astros -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Phillies +1.5 (-140) | Astros -1.5 (+112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Phillies at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 4, Phillies 2
Moneyline
Go ahead and PASS on the moneyline in this game as the Astros are heavy favorites at home with Verlander on the mound. Taking Houston straight up isn’t worth the risk, especially with the team not needing any wins in the final 2 games of the season.
The Phillies are 0-5 in Suarez’s last 5 road starts.
Run line/Against the spread
ASTROS -1.5 (+112) is a line that I took advantage of for a decent portion of the season, so I have to take it at least 1 more time. Houston allowed SP Lance McCullers Jr. to go 94 pitches on Monday, which means that Verlander should go pretty deep in this game to get ready for the postseason.
The Phillies are 2-5 in their last 7 games against the Astros that take place in Houston and we only need the Astros to win by 2 or more runs.
Over/Under
With Verlander pitching for the Astros, I don’t expect the Phillies to score many runs if he pitches deep into the game. With Houston likely resting a couple of starters, Suarez could have a solid outing for Philadelphia.
UNDER 6.5 RUNS (+105) is where I’m going in this game with Verlander likely throwing a shutout before he exits. The Under is 6-1 in the last 7 home games for the Astros when they face a team with a winning record.
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