The Philadelphia Phillies (14-13) play the 2nd contest of a 3-game interleague series against the Houston Astros (14-12) Saturday. First pitch at Minute Maid Park is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Phillies vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Phillies lead 1-0. Astros won 4-2 in the 2022 World Series and 2-1 in the regular-season series in Houston last year.
The Phillies picked up a 3-1 win in the series opener behind RHP Aaron Nola as the Under (7) connected. Philadelphia collected 8 hits to just 3 for Houston, including a pair of doubles by 3B Edmundo Sosa and a solo home run by DH/OF Kyle Schwarber.
Houston’s offense was limited to a solo bomb by SS Jeremy Pena, his 4th HR of the season. The Astros saw a 6-game win streak in the regular season against the NL East come to an end with the loss.
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Phillies at Astros projected starters
RHP Zack Wheeler vs. RHP Cristian Javier
Wheeler (2-1, 4.73 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 11.5 K/9 in 26 2/3 IP.
- Has struggled on the road with a 1-1 record, 7.71 ERA and .349 opponent batting average (OBA) with 12 K across 9 1/3 IP in 2 starts
- Posted a quality start (QS) last time out, allowing 3 ER on 3 H and 3 BB with 11 K across 6 IP in a win against the Colorado Rockies Sunday
Javier (2-0, 3.21 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.07 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 28 IP.
- Allowed just 2 R (1 ER) on 3 H and 2 BB with 10 K across 6 IP in a QS with no-decision at the Atlanta Braves last time out on Sunday
- Has managed a 2-0 record, 2.81 ERA and .254 OBA with 3 BB and 16 K across 16 IP in 3 home starts
Phillies at Astros odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Phillies +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Astros -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Phillies +1.5 (-200) | Astros -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Phillies at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, Phillies 2
Moneyline
The ASTROS (-125) are the play, and the wager is mostly based on the starting pitching matchup.
Javier has been excellent at home, while Wheeler has really struggled outside of Philadelphia, which is rather surprising since his home park is a bandbox.
Houston has also won 8 of its past 10 interleague games and has cashed in 4 of the past 5 interleague outings at home. The Astros are 5-2 in the past 7 contests against right-handed starting pitchers and are 11-5 in the past 16 at home vs. righties.
Run line/Against the spread
The ASTROS -1.5 (+165) are a solid value on the run line. Houston is 5-3 on the run line in its last 8 victories as a favorite. If you like the ‘Stros to pick up the victory, you should like them to do so by at least 2 runs.
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Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (-115) is the lean.
The Under has connected in 8 of the past 10 games overall for the Phillies while going a perfect 4-for-4 in the past 4 games against winning teams.
The Under is also 4-1 in the past 5 games overall for the Astros while cashing at a 6-2-1 clip in the previous 9 against NL East foes.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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