The Pittsburgh Pirates’ push for a wild card spot in the National League got a nice boost on Monday night, as Michael Taylor hit a game-winning three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to give the Pirates a 5-3 win over Houston.
While the Astros scored a run in the bottom of the ninth, they couldn’t erase the full deficit, falling to 55-51 on the season.
Houston will look to bounce back as a sizable favorite behind starter Hunter Brown, who has really turned things around after a slow start to the 2024 season.
Let’s dive into the odds, probable pitchers and my best bet for Tuesday’s contest.
Pirates vs. Astros Odds, Run Line and Total
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Run Line
- Pirates +1.5 (-130)
- Astros -1.5 (+110)
Moneyline
- Pirates: +160
- Astros: -192
Total
- 8.5 (Over -105/Under -115)
Pirates vs. Astros Probable Pitchers
- Pittsburgh: Bailey Falter (4-7, 4.08 ERA)
- Houston: Hunter Brown (9-6, 4.00 ERA)
Pirates vs. Astros How to Watch
- Date: Tuesday, July 30
- Time: 8:10 p.m. EST
- Venue: Minute Maid Park
- How to Watch (TV): AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, AT&T SportsNet Southwest
- Pirates record: 54-52
- Astros record: 55-51
Pirates vs. Astros Key Players to Watch
Pittsburgh Pirates
Michael Taylor: Taylor is only hitting .209 on the season, but he was the hero on Monday night, hitting a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to give the Pirates a 5-2 lead and eventually a win. Could Taylor be a sneaky prop target tonight?
Houston Astros
Hunter Brown: It’s been an up-and-down season for Hunter Brown (4.00 ERA), but he’s been really solid since the start of June. Outside a seven-run blow up on July 6, Brown has turned in nine starts since June 1 with three or fewer earned runs allowed, posting a 2.07 ERA in his last 10 outings.
Pirates vs. Astros Prediction and Pick
I absolutely love the Astros in this game with how well Brown has pitched as of late.
In his last 10 starts, the Astros are 8-2 straight up, a big flip from earlier this season when they started 2-9 in his first 11 outings.
Pittsburgh is one of the worst offenses in baseball, ranking 28th in the league in OPS, and I don’t see it turning things around on the road against Brown. While Taylor’s homer saved the day on Monday, it’s hard to bank on some late-game heroics – especially when Paul Skenes isn’t on the mound.
Falter is making his first start since July 6 after landing on the injured list earlier this month. He had struggled before then, posting a 6.23 ERA in six outings since June 1.
After a brutal loss on Monday, Houston should bounce back behind Brown on Tuesday.
Pick: Astros Moneyline (-192)
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Pirates vs. Astros Prediction, Odds and Probable Pitchers for Tuesday, July 30.
