The baseball wagering menu sees a clash between Pittsburgh and Houston on Friday, with the host Pirates trying to win for themselves and reward bettors who back them on the moneyline.

The match puts starter Wandy Rodriguez for the Astros on the hill facing Paul Maholm for the Pirates. Rodriguez brings a 1-3 mark to the game, while Maholm is 1-4 to date on the season.



View Houston vs Pittsburgh Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
On the Sportsbook MLB line for this matchup, Pittsburgh sat as -120 favorites. The total was set at 7.5.

Power Rankings:
This game puts the Pirates, most recently No. 16 in the National League Odds Shark MLB Power Rankings, up against the Astros, who rate a National League No. 14 in the latest survey.



How They Match Up:
When it comes to getting on base, the visiting Astros rank No. 3 in the National League at 9.2 hits per game. That compares with Pittsburgh’s No. 14 ranking in that category.

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Pittsburgh has the National League's No. 9-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Astros own the National League's No. 16 mark in runs allowed.

In their last action, Houston was a 10-4 loser on the road against the Reds. Bettors on Cincinnati at -155 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (14) sent OVER bettors home happy as well. Houston looks to rebound from a loss to the Reds, who beat them 10-4 on Thursday behind a start from Homer Bailey at Great American Ball Park.

In their last action, Pittsburgh was a 7-4 Sportsbook on the road against the Padres. Bettors on Pittsburgh at +125 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (11) sent OVER bettors home happy as well. Pittsburgh looks to continue its winning ways following a victory last time out against the Padres, a 7-4 final on Wednesday in support of Kevin Correia at PETCO Park.


Houston Astros Trends:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After playing Cincinnati are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

Pittsburgh Pirates Trends:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 2-8
After playing San Diego are 2-8
After a win are 2-8

A few Astros at Pirates trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Houston is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Houston
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston


Next up:
Houston at Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 7