Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Houston Astros: Both teams are getting ready for the playoffs

The Arizona Diamondbacks are visiting the Houston Astros tonight at Minute Maid Park.

Are the Diamondbacks a real contender?

The Arizona Diamondbacks are third in the NL West with a 79-64 record, including 40-33 on the road. They have lost the last three games including the first two of the series in Houston. Arizona has a 4.56 ERA, a .260 batting average, a .324 on-base percentage, and 1.35 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Ketel Marte is the best player on the team, with 130 hits, 81 runs, and 30 home runs so far in the season.

The Astros have a solid week

The Houston Astros are on top of the AL West with a 77-65 record, including 41-29 at home. After getting swept in the series against the Cincinnati Reds, the Astros won the first two games against Arizona. The Astros have a 3.73 ERA, a .226 batting average, a .307 on-base percentage, and 1.25 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Jose Altuve leads the team with 169 hits and 85 runs for the season, and Yordan Alvarez is on top with 32 home runs.

Betting Trends

The Astros are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games overall, 6-0 SU in their last 6 home games and 4-8 SU in their last 12 games against teams from the NL. Houston has played over the total run line in 4 of their last 6 games overall, the last 6 games when hosting Arizona while have stayed under in 10 of their last 15 games against teams from the NL West. The Diamondbacks are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games overall, 0-5 SU in their last 5 games against Houston, 6-14 SU in their last 20 games against teams from the AL West and 4-1 SU in their last 5 games played on Sunday. Arizona has played over the total run line in 5 of their last 6 games on the road and 8 of their last 9 games overall.

Prediction and Conclusion

Both teams have an excellent season and will reach the playoffs. Houston has been dominant in the series, winning the first two games by 8-0 and 11-5, and now has won the last five games against Arizona. The Astros will try to keep that winning streak alive with veteran Justin Verlander on the mound, who is 3-5 for the season with a 4.52 ERA, 63 K, 71.2 IP, and 1.31 WHIP. The Diamondbacks will start Ryne Nelson, who is 10-6 for the season with a 4.15 ERA, 121 K, 143 IP, and 1.26 WHIP. The Diamondbacks definitely have a shot in this game, so we go with them to cover the +1.5-run spread.