The Arizona Diamondbacks (74-67) and the Houston Astros (72-69) open a 3-game interleague series Friday at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let's analyze MLB odds around the Diamondbacks vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025 season series: Astros won 3-0 in Arizona; Astros went 2-1 in Houston in 2024, too
The Diamondbacks salvaged the finale of the home series with the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, winning 1-0 as slight underdogs (+110) as the Under (8.5) cashed. Arizona had 7 different pitchers combine for the shutout in a bullpen game, as C James McCann's solo homer in the bottom of the eighth marked the only scoring.
Arizona halted a 3-game losing streak
with the win Wednesday, while the Under is 7-4 across the past 11 outings. The Diamondbacks head into this game 33-36 on the road and 17-19 in interleague play. Arizona is a half-game clear of the San Diego Padres for the final Wild Card spot in the NL entering play Friday.
The Astros took 3 of 4 from the Chicago White Sox in a 4-game series this week, including a 6-2 win Thursday as moderate favorites (-157) with the Under (8.5) cashing. RHP Hunter Brown (6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K) posted a quality start in the win while 2B Jose Altuve socked his 15th homer, finishing with 2 RBIs. CF Daulton Varsho had a triple and 2 RBIs.
Houston leads the AL West by 2 games over the Texas Rangers despite a minus-38 run differential, and is 36-36 at home and 18-21 vs. NL teams this season.
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Diamondbacks at Astros projected starters
RHP Merrill Kelly vs. RHP Cristian Javier
Kelly (9-12, 5.08 ERA) makes his 26th start. He has a 1.48 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 6.0 K/9 in 141 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 7 K in 7-1 road win vs. San Francisco Giants Aug. 29
- 2026 road splits (14 starts): 5-7, 4.35 ERA (82 2/3 IP, 40 ER), 1.42 WHIP, 12 HR, 39 BB, 50 K
- Career vs. Astros (4 starts): 0-2, 3.22 ERA (22 1/3 IP, 8 ER), 1.25 WHIP, 0 HR, 6 BB, 19 K, 7.7 K/9
Javier (1-5, 6.45 ERA) makes his ninth start (14th appearance). He has a 1.63 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9, 8.5 K/9 in 44 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 6-2 road loss vs. NY Mets Aug. 29
- 2026 home splits (4 starts, 6 appearances): 0-2, 6.23 ERA (21 2/3 IP, 15 ER), 1.43 WHIP, 6 HR, 8 BB, 22 K
- Career vs. Diamondbacks (3 starts, 5 appearances): 2-0, 1.77 ERA (20 1/3 IP, 4 ER), 0.79 WHIP, 2 HR, 8.0 K/9
Diamondbacks at Astros odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:20 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Diamondbacks +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Astros -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Diamondbacks +1.5 (-190) | Astros -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Diamondbacks at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Diamondbacks 6, Astros 5
Moneyline
The DIAMONDBACKS (+110) are worth a look as slight road dogs in the interleague series opener against the Astros. Kelly looked good last time out in San Francisco, and while it can be discounted because it was the Giants, San Francisco's offense had been running hot entering that game.
Run line/Against the spread
If you're a bit on the conservative side, DIAMONDBACKS +1.5 (-190) is worth a look, especially as part of a multi-leg parlay, but be weary as a singular play if the price rises above -180.
Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-120) might be the best play on the board, as Kelly has struggled on the road (outside of that last time out in San Francisco0. Javier has had a tough time all season long.
Arizona has cashed the Over in 5 of its past 7 road games. Houston has hit the Under at a 5-1-2 clip in its past 8 outings -- but the Over is 4-3-1 in Javier's 8 starts this season.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions
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