Free MLB Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Houston Astros: August 23rd 2009

Touthouse HandicappersAug 23, 2009

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Houston Astros
Free MLB Pick: Houston Astros -137 (August 23rd 2009)
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The Diamondbacks and Astros faceoff in the third and final game of this series at Minute Maid Park on Sunday afternoon with Houston holding a 2-0 series lead and looking for the sweep. Arizona’s bats have been held silent for the most part in this series with Oswalt going 7 innings on Friday in the 1-0 win giving up 3 hits and no runs and then Moehler pitching 5.2 innings giving up 6 hits with 3 strikeouts and 2 earned runs in a 4-2 win on Saturday. This should come as no surprise as the Diamondbacks are ranked 28 in hitting with a batting average of .251 averaging 4.4 runs per game with OPS of .742. Arizona will send right-hander Jon Garland to the bump with his 6-11 record and ERA of 4.42 on the season, the D-backs are 9-16 in games he starts. He is 3-6 on the highway with an ERA of 3.20 and Arizona is 4-9 behind him in all road starts this season. Over his last three outings he has posted a record of 0-1 with an ERA of 5.71 while Arizona has gone 0-3 in those contests. The Diamondbacks are 26-35 (-5.8) on the road this season and 42-46 (-4.2) when facing right-handed starters. Arizona is 17-35 when installed as a road underdog, 9-23 when a road dog of +110 to +150 and 0-8 their last 8 road games overall. The Diamondbacks are 3-14 in Garlands last 17 starts overall and 1-9 when he takes the bump on the road. Houston is 31-14 their last 45 games versus teams with a losing record and 35-17 when playing game three of a series. They will send Bud Norris to the hill with his 3-1 record and ERA of 4.05 on the season. Over his last three outings he is 2-1 with an ERA of 5.94. The Astros are 5-2 (+2.4) over their last 7 games and average 4.2 runs per game when playing at Minute Maid Park with a batting average of .271 on the year. With significant fundamental, situational and technical support we will back the host as they get the sweep over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.