The Pirates and Astros are both 3.5 games back of their respective wild-card races so every game from here on is basically a playoff game for these two clubs. Rookie Joe Musgrove fell back to earth in his last start and will look to get back on track on the road vs Ivan Nova (9-6, 4.83 ERA).
- The Astros are 3-10 in their last 13 games on the road against the Pirates.
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of the Pirates' last 11 games as a moneyline underdog of 111 or less.
- The Astros are 5-0 against the runline in their last 5 games as road favorites.
Musgrove had his coming-out party against the Blue Jays in Houston and then again in Toronto as he gave up a total of two runs to the Jays in 11.1 combined innings. In his last start against the Orioles, however, the 23-year-old gave up 11 hits, eight runs and three home runs over 5.1 innings.
The Pirates have won all three starts that Nova has made for them since being traded from the Yankees. He has yet to throw more than 82 pitches in an outing since joining the Bucs and is lucky to not yet have a loss on his record with his new club.
Pittsburgh has four straight games but has been great of late after losing at home. In their last 11 games, they have won eight times after losing at PNC Park.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The moneyline was hovering in the range of 100 for the Pittsburgh Pirates in this one over at Sportsbook. The over under number was sitting near 8.5 at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 5.2-3.3 win for the Astros on Tuesday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Houston Astros vs Pittsburgh Pirates Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Pittsburgh Pirates bring a 62-60 record to the battle against the 65-60 Astros. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Houston injuries news.
The Pittsburgh Pirates sit at No. 13 in the current MLB power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Houston Astros sit at No. 9 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
On offense, it's a battle between the Pittsburgh Pirates and its No. 16-rated batting order, averaging 4.51 runs per nine innings, against the No. 12 line up of the Houston Astros at 4.58 runs per outing.
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and Pittsburgh has the No. 16-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Astros own the No. 10 mark in runs allowed.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Astros enjoyed a 3-1 victory at the expense of the Pirates on Monday, with D Fister throwing 7 innings of 3-hit ball at PNC Park.
- Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games
- Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Pittsburgh is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Houston at Pittsburgh, Wednesday, August 24th
