Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and predictions

The Houston Astros (5-6) take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (6-4) in the 2nd game of a 3-game series Tuesday. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Astros lead 1-0.

The Astros defeated the Pirates 8-2 Monday with LHP Framber Valdez logging 2 ER on 3 H and 5 BB with 5 K over 7 IP. Houston has won 2 straight games after losing 5 of its previous 6 games from April 2-8.

RHP Roansy Contreras struggled to the tune of 7 ER on 9 H and 4 BB with 3 K in 3 1/3 IP Monday. Pittsburgh also placed SS Oneil Cruz on the 10-day IL Monday. The starting shortstop suffered a fractured left fibula and damaged syndesmosis and is expected to be sidelined for at least 4 months.

Astros at Pirates projected starters

RHP Cristian Javier vs. RHP Mitch Keller

Javier (1-0, 3.27 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 0.8 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 through 11 IP.

• Has struck out at least 5 batters in each of his first 2 starts of the season
• Seems fully stretched out after throwing 99 pitches in his 2nd start

Keller (1-0, 3.86 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.37 WHIP, 4.6 BB/9 and 11.6 K/9 through 11 2/3 IP.

• Has fanned 7 or more batters in each of his first 2 starts
• Tallied 100 and 107 pitches in his first 2 outings

Astros at Pirates odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:27 a.m. ET.

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Astros at Pirates picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 5, Pirates 2

PASS.

The Astros (-175) are favored on the road and have the better pitcher on the mound, but taking them at the current odds to win straight up isn’t worth the risk.

BET ASTROS -1.5 (-105).

While Keller is pitching better to begin the season, the Pirates are without Cruz and the Astros can get hot quickly despite not having 2B Jose Altuve. Javier should be able to limit Pittsburgh’s batters and give Houston a decent chance to win by multiple runs.

The Astros have won by 2 or more runs in each of their first 5 wins this season.

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UNDER 8 (-105) is the pick in this matchup with both pitchers having success to begin the season. The Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings between these teams in Pittsburgh.

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