The visiting Pirates hope for a solid performance on Friday as they look to steal a win at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros.

The match puts starter Jeff Locke for the Pirates on the hill facing Edgar Gonzalez for the Astros. Locke brings a 0-1 mark to the game, while Gonzalez is 2-1 to date on the season.



View Pittsburgh vs Houston Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The Pirates were listed as 110 favorites on the baseball moneyline at many online sportsbooks. The total was set at 8.5 before betting started earlier on Monday.

Power Rankings:
The Astros sit at No. 16 in the National League in the current MLB power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Pirates sit at a National League No. 13 on the same chart.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Houston's No. 16-rated National League offense, averaging 3.6 runs per game, against a Pirates defense that ranks No. 7 in the National League at 4.2 in runs allowed per game. The Astros have averaged 8 hits per game so far, less than Pirates batters have averaged on the year (8.2 hits per game).

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Houston has the National League's No. 15-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Pirates own the National League's No. 7 mark in runs allowed.

Pittsburgh lost its last outing, a 9-7 result against the Brewers on September 20. Bettors who backed the Brewers at -106 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (16) sent OVER bettors to the payout window. Pittsburgh didn't get the job done in their last match, falling 9-7 to Milwaukee on Thursday at PNC Park.

Houston was a 5-4 loser in its last match on the road against the Cardinals. They lost as +215 underdogs, while the total score of 9 made winners of OVER bettors. Houston suffered a 5-4 loss against St. Louis on Thursday, as Bud Norris wasn't able to lead his team to victory at Busch Stadium.


Pittsburgh Pirates Trends:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Houston are 8-2
After playing Milwaukee are 1-9
After a loss are 2-8

Houston Astros Trends:
When playing on Friday are 1-9
Before playing Pittsburgh are 1-9
After playing St. Louis are 2-8
After a loss are 7-3

A few Pirates at Astros trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing on the road against Houston
Pittsburgh is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Houston's last 12 games
Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 9 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh


Next up:
Pittsburgh at Houston, Saturday, September 22