Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies 8/28/24 – With the season progressing deeper into the MLB calendar period, today’s match of the Houston Astros (70-62) vs Philadelphia Phillies (78-54), which is taking place at Citizens Bank Park, has all the ingredients to be an epic contest. Scheduled for Wednesday, this game not only showcases the two sides’ differential in form this season but also adds an interesting twist to the betting outlook. Those looking for MLB free picks should not miss this game, as it may prove to be quite good for some value plays.
Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies 8/28/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 4:05 PM ET |
| Where: | Citizens Bank Park |
| TV: | MLBN |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Houston Astros (70-62) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (78-54)
The Houston Astros thanks to their decent form in the league do not have a bad record but are in a precarious place as they have to face the Phillies. The hitters for the team struck out with an average of .260, an on-base average of .320, and a slugging average of .417 indicating that the team has been hitting reasonably good. Unfortunately, the most recent form extends to defeats, the latest is a 1-4 tour of the Phillies in the last five games played against them showing some weaknesses. Their performance in today’s game could be pivotal, especially with the upcoming Tampa Bay Rays against Seattle Mariners game, which could shift standings and pressure in their division.
On the flip side, the Philadelphia Phillies are showcasing a good season with a batting average of .259 which is higher than that of their opponents, but has an even better on-base percentage .327 and slugging percentage of .422. Also, as a staff, their pitching has also been a little more effective, as they have a team ERA of 3.68 while the Astros stand at 3.79. With a recent record of 6-1 in their last seven games at home, the Phillies are hoping to take full advantage of their home court. Today’s match against the Astros provides a crucial moment to strengthen their playoff positioning, keeping an eye on the Angels vs Tigers duel game, which could impact their strategic approaches in the forthcoming series.
Spencer Arrighetti (6-11, 4.94 ERA) vs. Taijuan Walker (3-5, 6.26 ERA)
For the Astros, Spencer Arrighetti has had a trying season, winning only 6 games and losing 11, with an ERA of 4.94. Nevertheless, he still managed to strike out 140 in just 116.2 innings pitched. But there were also significant reasons for concern. His 1.41 WHIP and the number of hits and home runs surrendered evidences of weaknesses that the Phillies could take advantage of, more so in the batters friendly setting of Citizens Bank Park.
Taijuan Walker hasn’t had it easy either for the Phillies with a 3-5 record and a 6.26 ERA. In fact, Walker has had control issues too, evidenced by his 1.58 WHIP and the large amount of hits given up over a short span of 64.2 innings pitched. Although there is a tendency to identify weaknesses in his performance, the Phillies’ hitting from the strong bullpen and run support at home may cancel out his erratic showing making it a close contest.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 -161, Total Odds: 9.5
The current betting odds favor the Phillies slightly in terms of the spread, and the total has been set at under 9.5, reflecting the trend of recent games between these two teams where scoring has been limited.
Houston Astros Betting Trends
The Astros have seen the total go UNDER in 5 of their last 7 games, and they are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games. This trend is more pronounced in their recent road games, with UNDER hitting in 7 of their last 9. Their struggles against Philadelphia, particularly at Citizens Bank Park where they’ve lost consistently, suggest potential challenges in overcoming the Phillies’ momentum.
Philadelphia Phillies Betting Trends
The Phillies have shown exceptional form, going 4-1 SU in their last 5 games and maintaining a strong home record of 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at Citizens Bank Park. They have dominated their recent matchups against the Astros, especially at home, which aligns with their overall strong defensive performance, keeping scoring low even against high-powered offenses.
Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies 8/28/24 Betting Picks
Looking at their current form and historical statistics, one would say that the Phillies are a better bet considering their home dominance and the road woes of the Astros. The odds and the statistics of the teams point to a defensive battle which makes the under on total points an appealing pick.
In the search for the exclusive premium picks, it makes sense to bet on the Phillies to win and at the same time bet on the points to come under the total. It has been noted how good they play at home and how good their pitchers are in this particular matchup.