Mets-Astros Pointspread Pointers

The New York Mets and the Houston Astros will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Minute Maid Park. The Mets will give the ball to starter Pedro Martinez in this one. Righthander Martinez is 3-2 this season with a 6.25 ERA. The Astros will counter Martinez with Brandon Backe. Righthander Backe has a 4.73 ERA to go along with a 6-10 record this season. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Mets listed as 120-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Mets lost the rubber match 7-5 to the Marlins last time out, as -115 favorites. The 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9). Damion Easley cracked a pinch-hit three-run homer for the Mets. Mike Pelfrey gave up five runs over four innings to suffer the loss. The Reds scattered 17 hits as they earned a 9-5 win over the Astros as +115 underdogs on Wednesday. The 14 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5). Ty Wigginton cracked a three-run homer in a losing effort for the Astros, who were -125 favorites in that game. Wandy Rodriguez gave up six runs over 4 2-3 innings in the loss. Team records: New York: 58-50 SU Houston: 50-57 SU New York most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing Houston are 6-4 After playing Florida are 6-4 After a loss are 8-2 Houston most recently: When playing on Friday are 1-9 Before playing NY Mets are 2-8 After playing Cincinnati are 6-4 After a loss are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston NY Mets are 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 7 of NY Mets's last 9 games when playing Houston The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 9 games when playing NY Mets Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games Houston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home Next up: Houston home to NY Mets, Saturday, August 2