Astros vs. D-Backs Friday Prediction
Two of the best teams in the month of April may finally be cooling off in May. The Houston Astros, losers of three in a row, will visit the Arizona Diamondbacks for three games this weekend. Will the D-Backs avoid losing for a third consecutive game tonight?
Game Snapshot & Odds
929 Houston Astros (-200) at 930 Arizona Diamondbacks (+175); 8.5 runs
Friday, May 4, 2018
9:40 p.m. ET, Chase Field
TV: HOU (ATTH); ARI (FSAZ)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Astros as a -200 favorite. As of this writing, 52% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Diamondbacks to beat the Astros on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Astros’ Cole strikes out 12 while setting club record for Ks
Gerrit Cole struck out 12, allowing three runs over 6 2/3 innings, as the Astros doubled up the A’s 8-4 on Sunday. Cole set an Astros record in the start, finishing with 61 strikeouts in April. Despite another largely dominant outing, Cole didn’t earn the win, staying 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA and 0.79 WHIP through six starts. His 61 strikeouts are the best in the league, and there’s nary a category in which Cole isn’t among the league leaders through the season’s first month. He’ll try to carry that dominance over to May when the Astros face the Diamondbacks in an interleague matchup Friday.
Diamondbacks’ Medlen joins starting rotation
Kris Medlen is scheduled to start for the Diamondbacks on Friday against the Astros. He’ll be taking the place of Robbie Ray, who landed on the disabled list Monday with a strained oblique. Medlen hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2016 (due to a second Tommy John surgery) and he has a 6.00 ERA in 18 innings this season at Triple-A Reno.
MLB Betting Trends
Houston
The Astros are 5-2 in the last seven meetings with the Diamondbacks in Arizona and have won nine of 13 in this series.
Arizona
The Diamondbacks have won eight of their last nine games coming off a loss and are 5-1 in their last six interleague home games.
Prediction:
The Diamondbacks have lost five of their last six interleague games and are winless in five of their last five interleague games when facing a right-handed starter. On the other side, the Astros have won five of Cole’s last six starts, are 4-1 in his last five outings following a quality start in his last appearance and are 32-12 in their last 44 games versus National League West opponents.
The Pick: Houston Astros -1.5