Baseball Odds – Reeling Pirates Look To Rebound From Rout Against Division Rivals Astros

The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to bounce back from their historic defeat to Milwaukee the last time out and cover the MLB betting odds when they visit the division rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park tonight at 10 PM ET.

Friday, April 23, 10:15 PM ET
MLB Betting Odds
Pittsburgh Pirates +1½ -145 +155
Paul Maholm –L
Houston Astros -1½ +125 -175
Roy Oswalt –R
Over 7½ -125
Under 7½ +105

TV: FSN, FS-H HD
Radio: WPGB-FM 104.7, KTRH 740, KLAT 1010

Pittsburgh Pirates (7-8 SU, 9-4-2 O/U, 7-8 RL)
Houston Astros (5-10 SU, 4-9-2 O/U, 7-8 RL)

Here is a look at tonight’s key head-to-head trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert MLB Expert Picks.

Pirates are 4-0 in Maholm’s last 4 road starts vs. Astros.

• Pirates are 5-1 in Maholm’s last 6 starts vs. Astros.
• Pirates are 6-16 in the last 22 meetings.
• Under is 7-1 in Oswalt’s last 8 starts vs. Pirates.
• Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Houston.
• Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.
• Under is 3-1-2 in Maholm’s last 6 starts vs. Astros.

Pittsburgh 411
Pirates are 11-41 in their last 52 road games.
Pirates are 4-1 in Maholm’s last 5 starts vs. National League Central.

The Pirates suffered the worst loss in the long history of the franchise on Thursday night, getting routed by the Brewers 20-0 to move to 0-3 over the last three games while failing to cover the MLB betting line as +150 home underdogs.

Houston 411
Astros are 2-7 in their last 9 home games.
Astros are 0-5 in their last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Astros are 5-2 in Oswalt’s last 7 starts as a favorite.
Astros are 1-4 in Oswalt’s last 5 starts.

The Astros had their four-game winning streak snapped in its 5-1 to the Marlins in the series finale on Thursday, failing to cover the MLB betting odds as a -110 pick’em while the game’s six total runs played Under the 9.5-run O/U total.

The Starters: The Pirates will turn to left-hander Paul Maholm (1-1, 4.58 ERA) while the Astros counter with ace right-hander Roy Oswalt (1-2, 2.37 ERA).

Analysis: I’ll get right to the point with this pick by saying that there is no way the Pittsburgh Pirates bounce back from the most horrific loss in franchise history against Houston’s staff ace Roy Oswalt in this contest tonight.

I know the Pirates have gone a spotless 4-0 in Paul Maholm’s last four road starts against the Astros, but Pittsburgh is also 6-16 in the last 22 meetings.

I know the Astros aren’t very good themselves, having recorded a pitiful 2-7 SU mark in their last nine home games while also going 0-5 in their last five home games against a left-handed starter, but Houston has also gone a bankroll-boosting 5-2 in Oswalt’s last seven starts as a favorite and I believe they are going to win going away.

In addition to playing the Astros to win this contest straight up, I also like the Under to play out for MLB betting enthusiasts as it has gone a blistering 7-1 in Oswalt’s last eight starts against the Pirates and 4-1-1 in the last six meetings between these teams when they meet in Houston.

Play the Astros to cover the MLB betting line while the Under plays out for pro baseball bettors everywhere.

MLB Expert Picks: Astros SU Win/Under 7½ Total Runs