Houston Astros vs
Cincinnati RedsPredictions & Preview

Houston Astros Primed for Victory Against Cincinnati Reds in Anticipated Match-Up: Justin Verlander to Lead Strong Pitching Lineup

The Houston Astros have been performing well recently, leading the American League West and looking like a strong contender for the World Series. They will face the Cincinnati Reds, a team with promising young talent but lacking in overall depth and playoff success. The expected pitching matchup features Justin Verlander for the Astros and Julian Aguiar for the Reds. Houston is the favorite in this series, with the current betting line favoring them at -157.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Astros -157 | Reds +143
• Spread: Astros -1.5 (-104) | Reds +1.5 (-115)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 61%.

Houston vs Cincinnati Stats

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros have established themselves as one of the most successful teams in baseball over the past decade. Despite a slow start to the 2024 season, they have now won five consecutive games and extended their lead in the AL West to six games heading into September. With 628 runs scored this season, the Astros rank 12th in the league and have a solid 3.70 ERA. Their star-studded rotation is healthy and they appear to be hitting their peak at the right time. Veteran righty Justin Verlander will be taking the mound in their upcoming game, as he continues to ramp up ahead of the playoffs. In their recent sweep over the Kansas City Royals, three players each had two RBI and Ronel Blanco tossed five scoreless innings. Overall, Houston is ranked 6th in power rankings, 12th in offense, 4th in defense, and have a record of 75-62 this season.

Cincinnati Reds Analysis

The Cincinnati Reds, led by star player Elly De La Cruz, are struggling this season with a record of 33-39, placing them at the bottom of the NL Central. Despite playing in a hitter-friendly park, the team ranks 15th in runs scored and has a pitching staff with a 4.19 ERA. To improve and become a playoff team in the future, the Reds need to focus on strengthening their pitching. Rookie right-hander Julian Aguiar will be starting in their upcoming game. In their last win against the Brewers, the Reds capitalized on errors and hits to secure a 4-3 victory in 11 innings. With a power ranking of 25, the Reds are ranked 15th for offense and defense, scoring an average of 4.47 runs per game and giving up an average of 4.39 runs per game. They have an overall record of 65-73 and have recently lost all three matchups against the Houston Astros.

Astros Seek Redemption Against Cincinnati in Anticipated Match-Up

The head-to-head record in the past 10 meetings between Cincinnati and their rival sits at 8-2 in favor of Cincinnati. It should be noted that the teams have only faced each other in one series since 2019, resulting in a three-game sweep for the Reds last season. Despite this, the current momentum and talent favor the Astros in this upcoming match-up. Justin Verlander's return from injury has shown promising strides, indicating a potential advantage for the Astros. With this in mind, it is likely that the Astros will secure a significant victory in their pursuit of winning the AL West division in the upcoming 2024 season.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]