The Arizona Diamondbacks (79-61) are set to pursue their fourth straight road series victory when they clash with the Houston Astros (75-64) in the opener of a three-game interleague series this Friday night. The showdown will take place at Minute Maid Park, starting at 8:10 PM ET.
Brandon Pfaadt, boasting a record of 9-7 and a 4.32 ERA, will take the mound for the Diamondbacks. The Astros will respond with Framber Valdez, who holds a 13-6 record and a 3.11 ERA.
Historically, Houston has dominated the matchup, winning seven of their last ten encounters against Arizona.
**This preview was written prior to Thursday’s game.**
Exceptional insights are the hallmark of MLB predictions!
Diamondbacks Eyeing a Boost in NL Wildcard Race
The Diamondbacks have rallied after experiencing a three-game losing streak, emerging victorious in three of their last four contests, including a series win against the Giants. Currently sitting second in the NL Wildcard standings, they trail San Diego by just half a game and are eager to leapfrog their division rivals with a Friday night win.
On offense, Arizona has been productive, averaging 5.45 runs per game. Their .263 batting average ranks second in the league, and they lead with a .336 on-base percentage while holding the third position in slugging percentage at .437.
Ketel Marte stands out for the Diamondbacks, leading with a .298 batting average and 30 home runs, while Eugenio Suarez tops the team with 87 RBIs.
Despite the offensive prowess, Arizona’s pitching has been a concern, yielding 4.51 runs per game. Their opponents have a .262 batting average against them, placing them 29th in the league. With a 4.54 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP, the pitching staff needs to step up. In his previous outing, Pfaadt allowed eight hits and three runs over 5.2 innings but emerged victorious in a 14-3 rout against the Dodgers. They will require a stronger performance from him against the Astros.
Astros Aiming to Recover After Setback Against Reds
Following a series win over the Royals, the Astros faced disappointment with a series loss to the Reds. Fortunately, the Seattle Mariners have not gained significant ground in the AL West standings, leaving Houston 5.5 games ahead. The Astros will aim to bounce back and strengthen their division lead with a strong showing on Friday.
Houston’s offense averages 4.58 runs per game, supported by a .260 batting average, which ranks third in the league. Their on-base percentage of .320 is tenth, along with a slugging percentage of .418, also placing tenth.
Yordan Alvarez has emerged as a key player for the Astros, boasting a .311 batting average and 30 home runs, while Yainer Diaz leads the team with 78 RBIs.
Defensively, Houston has excelled, allowing only 3.71 runs per game, with opponents hitting just .229 against them, placing second in the league. Their 3.76 ERA is sixth best, complemented by a 1.25 WHIP, ranking thirteenth. Valdez’s last start was stellar, as he threw seven innings without allowing any hits or runs, leading to a 3-2 victory over the Royals. The Astros will need him to replicate that performance for a successful outcome.
Jake Meyers is currently on the paternity list and will be unavailable indefinitely.
Betting Insights for Diamondbacks vs. Astros
The Astros have triumphed in seven of their last nine home games, while the Diamondbacks have stumbled, losing four of their last seven. Both teams are showcasing strong offensive capabilities, with the Astros scoring 21 runs in their last four home games, and the Diamondbacks scoring five or more runs in three of their last four road games. However, the Astros hold the advantage due to Pfaadt’s recent struggles on the mound, having surrendered 15 runs in his last three appearances. With Arizona’s bullpen also ranking among the weakest in the league, they may find it challenging to contain Houston’s potent lineup. Conversely, the Diamondbacks are likely to face difficulties offensively against Valdez, who has been formidable recently, allowing only three runs across his last three starts. Given these factors, placing a bet on Houston to win the money line appears to be a wise decision.
