As we approach the 40-game mark of the MLB season, not only are the Houston Astros baseball’s best team, they’re also one of its best bets, pocketing $768 in profits based on $100 bets. At 27-12, the Astros have seen their World Series odds move from a season-Sportsbook +1400 to +650, basically eliminating any value on a futures bet, so Astros bettors should look to maximize their betting dollars by keeping these key spots on their radars.
This is The Blueprint: How to Bet on the Houston Astros:
Bet on the beard:
A few things needed to click the right way for the ’Stros to break through as a legit World Series contender. At the top of that list was Dallas Keuchel needing to return to his Cy Young form after a disappointing 2016 season. He’s officially bounced back in a big way, posting a 1.84 ERA and 0.86 WHIP, holding batters to a .186 batting average.
Most important, though, the Astros are 8-1 in his eight starts this season with six of those wins coming by two runs or more. He’s allowed more than two runs in a start just once, and although that ERA and WHIP will likely climb a little bit, he’s once again an ace and will give Houston a great chance to win every time he takes the ball.
When Keuchel’s on the mound, you’re unlikely to find great value against mediocre and bad teams, so look to bet the Astros on the runline in those situations.
Hammer that Runline on the Road:
A 14-6 record on the road has translated to an extremely sexy 15-5 runline record outside of Houston, which has led to a very sexy profit of $1156.58. The key to their success on the road has been an American League-best 5.90 runs per game on the road, which is more than a run better than their home average.
The majority of their wins on the road have come against scrubs like the Mariners, Athletics, Angels and Rays but that’s not something to hold against them. They’re coming off a profitable weekend in the Bronx where they took three of four games from the AL’s second-best team, the Yankees, so continue to back them on the road with extreme confidence.
It’s right to bet them vs righties:
The Astros have absolutely crushed right-handed pitching this season, and have gone 22-7 vs right-handed starters. Had you placed a $100 bet on them each time they were lined up to face a righty starter, you would have made yourself a handsome profit of $907.02 which is enough money to cover the cost of a 10-day stay at Hooters hotel in Las Vegas, or a two-night stay in a really nice room at Sportsbook Palace. I guess the choice just depends on how much free time you have.
Houston has a league-best .284 AVG vs right-handers to go along with a third-best 482 total bases and 42 home runs. Keep your eyes peeled on our probable pitchers section and jump all over the ’Stros when they’re matched up with a righty.
Cash-in in-game:
Finding in-game betting value with good teams can be difficult, but this Astros team is a resilient bunch that’s been breaking the bank for their believers. Most teams fade away worse than the potential of the Mets starting rotation when they go down, but the Astros are 8-3 when losing after three innings and 9-7 when losing after five. They’re the only team in baseball to have a winning record in each of those spots, so if they’re only down by a run or two in either situation, bet away.
