Mets-Astros Odds Preview

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 ace starter Johan Santana in this one. Lefthander Santana is 11-7 this season with a 2.92 ERA. Starting this game for the Astros will be Mike Hampton. The lefthander has a 4.63 ERA to go along with a 5-7 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Mets listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Mets fell 3-1 to the Nationals in the series rubber match on Wednesday, as +105 underdogs. The team's played UNDER the night's posted over/under (9). Mike Pelfrey gave up six hits and three runs over seven innings in the loss. The Astros scored twice in the bottom of the ninth inning as they defeated the Cardinals 4-3 in a series sweep on Wednesday. The Astros won that game as +105 underdogs, while the seven runs went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (7). Miguel Tejada drove in the winning run to lift the Astros to a three-game sweep. Jose Valverde tossed the ninth inning to earn the victory in relief. Current streak: New York has lost 2 straight games. Houston has won 3 straight games. Team records: New York: 44-50 SU Houston: 49-46 SU New York most recently: When playing on Friday are 4-6 Before playing Houston are 4-6 After playing Washington are 6-4 After a loss are 4-6 Houston most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing NY Mets are 4-6 After playing St. Louis are 6-4 After a win are 7-3 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets's last 7 games when playing Houston The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Mets's last 9 games when playing on the road against Houston Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games Houston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games Next up: Houston home to NY Mets, Saturday, July 25