San Francisco @ Houston Picks & Props

When evaluating his BABIP ability, THE BAT X ranks Austin Slater as the 5th-best batter in MLB. Austin Slater is penciled in 1st in the batting order in this matchup. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Extreme groundball batters like Austin Slater usually hit better against extreme flyball pitchers like Luis Garcia. Austin Slater has been unlucky in regards to his batting average since the start of last season; his .270 BA is deflated compared to his .295 Expected Batting Average (based on THE BAT X's interpretation of Statcast data).

The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense.

When estimating his overall offensive skill, Mitch Haniger ranks in the 91st percentile according to THE BAT X projects. Mitch Haniger is projected to hit 4th in the lineup today. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Mitch Haniger's 11.8% Barrel% (an advanced stat to measure power) grades out in the 87th percentile since the start of last season. Mitch Haniger's 91.9-mph average exit velocity is among the best in the game since the start of last season: 92nd percentile.

The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Martin Maldonado has a high pull rate on his flyballs (34.1% — 84th percentile) and has the good fortune of hitting them towards the league's 2nd-shallowest LF fences today. The San Francisco Giants infield defense grades out as the worst of all teams today. Martin Maldonado will benefit from the home field advantage today.

The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Corey Julks has a high pull rate on his flyballs (36.1% — 93rd percentile) and has the good fortune of hitting them towards the game's 2nd-shallowest LF fences today. The San Francisco Giants infield defense grades out as the worst of all teams today. Corey Julks will benefit from the home field advantage today.

THE BAT X projections rank Kyle Tucker as the 16th-best hitter in the game. Kyle Tucker is penciled in 5th on the lineup card today. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Kyle Tucker will hold the platoon advantage against Ross Stripling today. The San Francisco Giants infield defense grades out as the worst of all teams today.

Assessing his overall offensive capability, Alex Bregman scores in the 95th percentile in THE BAT X projects. Alex Bregman is projected to bat 4th in the lineup in this game. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Alex Bregman has a high pull rate on his flyballs (37.9% — 97th percentile) and has the good fortune of hitting them towards MLB's 2nd-shallowest LF fences today. The San Francisco Giants infield defense grades out as the worst of all teams today.

THE BAT X projects Thairo Estrada in the 86th percentile when estimating his batting average ability. Thairo Estrada is projected to bat 2nd in the batting order in this matchup. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Thairo Estrada has a high pull rate on his flyballs (34% — 84th percentile) and has the good fortune of hitting them towards baseball's 2nd-shallowest LF fences today. Extreme groundball bats like Thairo Estrada tend to be more successful against extreme flyball pitchers like Luis Garcia.

Jose Abreu has primarily hit in the top-half of the batting order this season (96% of the time), but he is penciled in 6th in the lineup today. With its low elevation, Minute Maid Park has one of the lowest levels in MLB, resulting in decreased offensive production. Ross Stripling will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Jose Abreu today. Jose Abreu hits a lot of his flyballs to center field (39.7% — 96th percentile) and faces the game's 8th-deepest CF fences today.

Assessing his overall offensive capskill, Michael Conforto scores in the 85th percentile in THE BAT X projects. Michael Conforto is projected to bat 5th in the lineup today. With its smallest outfield compared to other parks, Minute Maid Park provides a favorable setting for long-balls. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Michael Conforto will have the handedness advantage over Luis Garcia today.

THE BAT X projects Jeremy Pena in the 91st percentile when assessing his BABIP skill. Jeremy Pena has primarily hit in the back-half of the lineup this year (50% of the time), but he is projected to bat 2nd in the batting order in this matchup. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Jeremy Pena has a high pull rate on his flyballs (33.4% — 79th percentile) and has the good fortune of hitting them towards baseball's 2nd-shallowest LF fences today. The San Francisco Giants infield defense grades out as the worst of all teams today.

The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Joey Bart has a high pull rate on his flyballs (36.4% — 94th percentile) and has the good fortune of hitting them towards baseball's 2nd-shallowest LF fences today. Joey Bart's 9.9% Barrel% (a reliable metric to evaluate power) ranks in the 77th percentile since the start of last season. Joey Bart's maximum exit velocity (an advanced metric to evaluate power) has been 114.3 mph since the start of last season, ranking in the 95th percentile. Joey Bart has notched a .334 BABIP since the start of last season, checking in at the 86th percentile.

According to THE BAT X, Yordan Alvarez is predicted to be the 3rd-best batter in the majors. Yordan Alvarez is projected to hit 3rd on the lineup card in this matchup. With its smallest outfield compared to other parks, Minute Maid Park provides a favorable setting for long-balls. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Yordan Alvarez will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Ross Stripling today.

THE BAT X projects Joc Pederson in the 91st percentile when it comes to his overall offensive ability. Joc Pederson is projected to bat 3rd in the batting order in this game. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Joc Pederson will have the handedness advantage against Luis Garcia today. The Houston Astros don't have any same-handed relief pitchers in their bullpen, so Joc Pederson is guaranteed to hold the platoon advantage against every reliever all game.

The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Brandon Crawford will have the handedness advantage against Luis Garcia today. The Houston Astros don't have any same-handed relievers in their bullpen, so Brandon Crawford is guaranteed to never face a bullpen mismatch the whole game. Brandon Crawford's footspeed has gotten better this year. His 25.34 ft/sec Statcast Sprint Speed last year sits at 25.94 ft/sec now. Although THE BAT X estimates his true talent level to be .324, which is a .060 deviation, Brandon Crawford has been unlucky this year with a .264 wOBA.

As it relates to his BABIP capskill, Blake Sabol is projected in the 83rd percentile by THE BAT X. With its smallest outfield compared to other parks, Minute Maid Park provides a favorable setting for long-balls. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up 14° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense. Blake Sabol will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Luis Garcia today. The Houston Astros don't have any same-handed relievers in their bullpen, so Blake Sabol is guaranteed to never lose the platoon advantage against the bullpen the whole game.

J.D. Davis has gone over 0.5 in 4 of his last 10 games.

Mauricio Dubon has gone over 1.5 in 3 of his last 10 games.

LaMonte Wade Jr. has gone over 0.5 in 5 of his last 10 games.