Pirates-Astros Lines Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Houston Astros will meet on the field at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday in a battle of division rivals. The Pirates will trot ace Paul Maholm out to the mound in this one. Lefthander Maholm has a 5-4 record and a 4.69 ERA this season. Maholm's opponent in this one will be Brian Moehler. The Astros righthander has a 5.64 ERA to go along with a 5-4 record this season. Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total. Miguel Tejada went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in, as the Astros dropped the Pirates 4-1 on Monday night. Houston won as -145 home favorites as the game played UNDER the 9-run total posted by oddsmakers. Geoff Blum knocked in two runs for the Astros, while winning pitcher Mike Hampton gave up one run over seven innings for Houston. Robinzon Diaz was 2-for-3 with an RBI for Pittsburgh, as Virgil Vasquez allowed four runs over six innings to take the loss for the Pirates. Current streak: Pittsburgh has lost 3 straight games. Houston has won 2 straight games. Team records: Pittsburgh: 37-46 SU Houston: 40-41 SU Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Houston are 4-6 After playing Houston are 4-6 After a loss are 3-7 Houston most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 6-4 Before playing Pittsburgh are 4-6 After playing Pittsburgh are 5-5 After a win are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Pittsburgh's last 12 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Houston Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Houston's last 10 games at home Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home Next up: Houston home to Pittsburgh, Wednesday, July 8