The Astros and Pirates will play the third of their three-game set today, with the outcome determining who will win the series. Ivan Nova took care of business for the Pirates last night and will hand the baton to Gerrit Cole this afternoon as the Bucs match up with Collin McHugh and the ‘Stros.
- The Pirates are 1-5 in their last 6 games at home with Gerrit Cole as the starting pitcher.
- The Astros are 13-2 in their last 15 games on Wednesday.
- The total has gone OVER in 9 of the Pirates' last 10 games on Wednesday.
It’s been a rough stretch for Collin McHugh. He has not earned a win in five straight outings and in two of those starts he allowed six or more runs. In McHugh’s 13 road starts he has gone 3-6 with a bloated 5.81 ERA while allowing opposing lineups to hit .319 off him – gulp.
Gerrit Cole (7-8, 3.30) has regressed a little from his 2015 that saw him post a 2.60 ERA and win 19 games. That said, the righty has been one of the most consistent arms in the Bucs’ rotation and has been pretty efficient at PNC Park. In 10 starts at home, Cole has a 3.07 ERA.
Cole is a contact pitcher and the Astros are very much contact hitters. This could be a death matchup for the Pirates starter if he doesn’t get a high ground-ball-out rate.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Pittsburgh Pirates were listed as -145 moneyline favorites earlier in the day at Sportsbook, while odds makers set the Sportsbook total line around 7.5 earlier at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 4.8-3.5 victory for the Astros. 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
Pittsburgh (63-60) will face the 65-61 Astros in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Houston injuries news.
This game puts the Pittsburgh Pirates, most recently No. 13 in Odds Shark MLB Power Rankings, up against the Houston Astros, who rate a No. 9 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Pittsburgh Pirates No. 15 ranked offense (4.53 runs per game) against a Houston Astros defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 10 at 4.21 runs allowed per game. The Pittsburgh Pirates have been averaging 8.76 hits per game, more than the Houston Astros have managed so far this season (8.5 hits on average).
Defensively, Houston features the No. 24-rated defense on the road, allowing 4.91 runs per game. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, comes in at No. 12 at home, scoring 4.62 runs per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Astros endured a 7-1 loss at the hands of the Pirates on Tuesday, with Joe Musgrove throwing 4 innings of 8-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 9 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 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
- Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Houston home to Tampa Bay, Friday, August 26th
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee, Thursday, August 25th
