In a thrilling conclusion to their three-game interleague series, the Cincinnati Reds (66-73) will host the Houston Astros (75-63) at Great American Ball Park on Thursday afternoon, with first pitch set for 1:10 PM ET. This matchup is critical for both teams as they vie for different playoff aspirations.
Rhett Lowder, who holds a record of 0-1 and a 2.25 ERA, takes the mound for the Reds. The Astros will respond with Hunter Brown, boasting an 11-7 record and a 3.55 ERA. Cincinnati has shown a strong performance against Houston recently, winning 8 of their last 10 encounters.
**This preview was prepared prior to Wednesday’s game.**
For expert insights on MLB predictions, check out our reliable forecasts.
Astros Aim to Strengthen Division Dominance
The Houston Astros saw their five-game win streak come to an end at the hands of the Reds in this series opener. Nevertheless, they maintain a comfortable lead in the AL West, sitting 6.5 games ahead of the Seattle Mariners. A victory on Thursday would not only help them bounce back but also extend their division advantage.
Houston’s offense is potent, averaging 4.57 runs per game. Their .260 batting average ranks third in the league, complemented by a .320 on-base percentage and a .418 slugging percentage, placing them in the top ten for both metrics.
Leading the charge is Yordan Alvarez, who holds a .313 batting average alongside 30 home runs. Yainer Diaz has been a key contributor with 78 RBIs, showcasing depth in their lineup.
The Astros’ pitching staff has been formidable, allowing just 3.66 runs per game. Opponents hit only .228 against them, the second-lowest in the league. Their overall ERA of 3.71 ranks fifth, while their WHIP is 1.24, placing them 11th in the majors.
In his last outing, Brown surrendered two hits and two runs over 6.2 innings, leading to a 6-3 triumph over Kansas City. The Astros will rely on him to replicate that performance to secure a win.
Note that Alex Bregman is listed as questionable due to an elbow issue.
Reds Seek Third Consecutive Series Victory
The Cincinnati Reds bounced back from a three-game losing streak with two consecutive victories, putting them in a favorable position in this series. Currently fourth in the NL Central, they trail the Cardinals by four games and are eager to narrow that gap with a win against Houston, which would mark their third straight series win over the Astros.
Cincinnati averages 4.47 runs per game, but their .233 batting average ranks 25th in the league. Their .307 on-base percentage is 19th, while their slugging percentage sits at .399, placing them 16th overall.
Tyler Stephenson leads the Reds with a .264 batting average. Elly De La Cruz stands out with 22 home runs, while Spencer Steer leads the team with 85 RBIs, demonstrating the potential within their offense.
However, the Reds have struggled on the mound, allowing 4.10 runs per game. Their opponents hit .240 against them, ranking 14th, with a 4.18 ERA that places them 19th in MLB. Their WHIP of 1.26 ranks them 16th, indicating room for improvement.
In his most recent start, Lowder allowed two hits and one run over four innings, contributing to a lopsided 14-0 loss against the Brewers. He will need to deliver a stronger performance to help his team secure a much-needed victory.
Strategic Betting Insights for Astros vs. Reds
The Astros have been impressive, winning five of their last six games, while the Reds have experienced some inconsistency, losing three of their last five. Offensively, Houston has outperformed Cincinnati recently, scoring 15 runs in their last three games compared to the Reds’ 13.
Given their success against right-handed pitchers, the Astros are likely to exploit Lowder’s weaknesses, who struggled in his first start of the season. Moreover, Cincinnati’s bullpen has faltered, yielding 19 runs over the past four games, making it challenging for them to contain Houston’s offense.
Brown’s solid pitching for the Astros, having allowed only five runs in his last three starts, positions him well to keep the Reds’ hitters at bay. As such, betting on Houston to cover the money line appears to be a sound strategy.
