Budding rivalry: Houston Astros take on Arizona Diamondbacks in intraleague battle

The article discusses an upcoming intraleague battle between the Houston Astros and the Arizona Diamondbacks, which will conclude a three-game series on Wednesday, July 23. The Astros currently lead the American League West division by at least four games and have a strong road record. The Diamondbacks are in fourth place in the National League West Division and are at least five games back from a wild card spot. The starting pitchers for the game will be Brandon Walter for Houston and Brandon Pfaadt for Arizona, with the first pitch set for 3:40 P.M. EST.

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Astros +100 | Diamondbacks -119
Spread: Astros -1.5 (+147) | Diamondbacks +1.5 (-192)
Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Arizona will win straight-up is 54%.

Houston Astros

Houston currently holds a five-game lead in the American League West division and is one of three teams in the American League with a winning record in road games. However, their recent form has seen them lose seven of their last 10 games. Brandon Walter will start for the Astros against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, sporting a 1-3 record with a 3.66 ERA this season. The left-handed pitcher has struggled on the road with a 4.82 ERA in five road starts. Houston has been strong offensively, ranking second in batting average at .259 and scoring the 14th most runs in the league. They have had success against NL West teams with a .286 batting average, but have hit just .252 against National League clubs overall.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are currently in fourth place in the National League West Division, trailing the Dodgers by at least eight games. They are around .500 when playing at home and are five games back of a wild card spot after winning four of their last five games. Brandon Pfaadt will be starting for the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, with a 10-6 record and a 4.82 ERA in 20 starts. Pfaadt's last start against the Cardinals was impressive, throwing 7.0 innings with four hits and no runs allowed. Arizona has a record of 11-9 when Pfaadt starts, with a 3.71 ERA at home. The Diamondbacks have a .252 batting average this year, ranking 11th best in the league, with the fourth most runs scored and 10th in hits. They have hit the second most doubles and the fifth most home runs. Arizona has a .255 batting average when playing at home, a .242 average in July, and a .240 average against American League teams.

Diamondbacks Look to Capitalize on Astros' Recent Struggles with Strong Pitching and Offense at Home

The Houston Astros have experienced challenges in recent weeks, with a loss of seven out of their last 10 games leading up to Tuesday's matchup. The Diamondbacks are poised to capitalize on Houston's current struggles and secure a victory in this game, with a focus on Arizona's starting pitcher, Brandon Pfaadt, who boasts a solid 3.71 ERA when pitching at home. Additionally, Arizona holds a strong 6-4 record in games where Pfaadt pitches at home. The Diamondbacks' offense has been particularly potent at home, boasting a .255 batting average and ranking fourth in total runs scored this season. In contrast, Houston has struggled to convert hits into runs efficiently, ranking 14th in runs scored. Expect Arizona to cover the spread in this matchup.

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