Astros-Pirates Who Will Cover?

The Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at PNC Park. The Astros will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Brandon Backe in this game. Backe has a 4-6 record and a 4.54 ERA this season. Starting this game for the Pirates will be Paul Maholm. The lefthander has a 4.74 ERA to go along with a 3-5 record this season. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Pirates listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Pirates evened their three-game series with Houston with a 5-2 win as +110 underdogs on Wednesday. The Pirates won the game as +110 underdogs, while the seven runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (9). Raul Chavez drove in three runs in leading the Pirates. Zach Duke threw 7 2-3 innings and gave up two earned runs in the victory. Ty Wigginton belted a solo home run for the Astros, who had been favored at -125 in that game. Roy Oswalt gave up four runs off nine hits over six innings in the loss. Team records: Houston: 31-29 SU Pittsburgh: 28-31 SU Houston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing St. Louis are 4-6 After playing Pittsburgh are 4-6 After a loss are 5-5 Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Arizona are 5-5 After playing Houston are 4-6 After a win are 1-9 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Houston's last 9 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Houston's last 18 games when playing Pittsburgh The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing at home against Houston The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Pittsburgh's last 18 games when playing Houston Pittsburgh is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston Next up: Houston home to St. Louis, Friday, June 6 Pittsburgh home to Arizona, Friday, June 6