Astros vs Padres Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s MLB Game

James Bisson - Head of Content, Betting
James Bisson • Head of Content, Betting 16+ years betting experience
Updated: Sep 17, 2024 , 05:43 PM ET • 4 min read

Although Monday's matchup was a different story, tonight's duel in San Diego will see plenty of runs, as Kenny Ducey explains in his latest handicap.

mlb

Sep 17 • 6:40 PM ET
Yordan Alvarez Houston Astros MLB
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

Tonight's interleague battle at Petco Park features Hunter Brown taking the ball for Houston opposite of Michael King, and my Astros vs. Padres predictions expect the offenses to rise to the occasion against both starters.

Find out more in our MLB picks for Tuesday, September 17.

Astros vs Padres prediction

My best bet
Over 7.5 runs (+105 at BetMGM)

My analysis

Despite Monday’s game ending 3-1 — which was disappointing for those of us who backed the Under — the San Diego Padres continued their strong performance at the plate, collecting 13 hits but leaving eight runners on base.

In fact, both teams left eight runners on base, making it a strong showing for each despite the final score. Given the playoff-like intensity of the series, I'm not ready to dismiss the possibility of more low-scoring games just yet.

Like Monday's starter Spencer Arrighetti, Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown will run into some issues against a Padres team that has been one of the best in baseball in limiting strikeouts – something that spells trouble for a guy who’s been steadily cruising in that department since June.

Although Brown boasts a strong .227 xBA for the season, that number has climbed to .236 in September. Additionally, the Padres have hit .270 against groundball pitchers like Brown.

Michael King finds himself in a similar situation as a strikeout pitcher facing an Astros team that doesn’t K often. Like Brown, King’s expected stats have declined over the past month and a half. He'll also be up against an Astros lineup that ranks eighth in xBA against sinkers and second against four-seamers, which could hamper his ability to pitch well to contact. 

I expect more hits from both of these teams and more luck with runners on base.

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Astros vs Padres same-game parlay (SGP)

Over 7.5

Hunter Brown Under 4.5 strikeouts

Yordan Alvarez 2+ total bases

After Arrighetti failed to hit the Over on his strikeout prop with just four punchouts on Monday, we’ve now seen just one starting pitcher rack up five or more against the Padres in the last eight games.

Meanwhile, San Diego has posted the second-best strikeout rate in the league over the past two weeks, trailing only Houston with a 17.8% strikeout rate. 

Yordan Alvarez has combined for a .322 xBA against four-seamers and sinkers this year, rocking a mark of .387 since the start of August. The Astros slugger has reached 2+ total bases eight times in 14 games this month, hitting .268 and slugging .625 over this span. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Astros vs Padres odds

Astros vs Padres live odds

Astros vs Padres opening odds

  • Moneyline: Houston -105 | San Diego -115
  • Run line: Houston -1.5 (+160) | San Diego +1.5 (-190)
  • Over/Under: Over 7.5 (+105) | Under 7.5 (-125)

Astros vs Padres moneyline and Over/Under analysis

  • DraftKings is reporting that 52% of the bets and 46% of the money are on the Astros.
  • The total remains at the opening line of 7.5 after a momentary dip to seven, but there’s been some movement towards the Under ever since.
  • Despite commanding just 59% of the tickets, the Over has accounted for 75% of the handle at DraftKings.

Astros vs Padres trend

San Diego has hit the game total Over in 43 of its last 73 games (+12.35 Units / 16% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Astros vs. Padres.

Astros vs Padres game info

Location: Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Date: Tuesday, 9-17-2024
First pitch: 9:40 p.m. ET
TV: TruTV
Astros starting pitcher: Hunter Brown
(11-8, 3.59 ERA)
Padres starting pitcher: Michael King
(12-9, 3.06 ERA)

Astros vs Padres latest injuries

Astros vs Padres weather

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James Bisson
Head of Content, Betting

James Bisson is the Editor-in-Chief at Covers. He has been a writer, reporter and editor for more than 20 years, including a nine-year stint with The Canadian Press and more than five years at theScore. He has covered dozens of marquee events including the 2010 Winter Olympics, the 2006 Stanley Cup final and Wrestlemania 23, and his work has appeared in more than 200 publications, including the Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, Yahoo! Sports, the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail.

His book, “100 Greatest Canadian Sports Moments”, was a hardcover best-seller in Canada in 2008 and earned him appearances on CBC Radio and Canada AM. He has written more than 50 sportsbook reviews, more than 200 industry news articles, and dozens of other sportsbook-related content articles.

A graduate of the broadcast journalism program at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), James has been an avid bettor since the early 2000s, and cites bet365 as his favorite sports betting site due to its superior functionality and quick payouts. His biggest professional highlight: Covering Canada's first Olympic gold medal on home soil – and interviewing Bret Hart. Twice.

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