The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to clash with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 31, 2024, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM under a clear sky. Jake Woodford will head to the mound for the Pirates with a current ERA of 10.800. In contrast, Framber Valdez, featuring an ERA of 3.426, will pitch for the Astros.

The Pirates currently sit 9th in the 2024 NL Central Division with a record of 55-52, achieving a .510 winning percentage. They show a divisional record of 17-15 and a recent upswing with six wins in their last ten games, alongside a three-game winning streak. Their road performance mirrors their home record, standing at 29-26 away and 26-26 at home.

Conversely, the Astros hold the 8th spot in the 2024 AL West Division with an identical 55-52 record. They are slightly stronger in division games, boasting a 19-17 record, and currently struggle with a three-game losing streak. The team shows strength in night games with a tally of 36-19, contrasting their day game performances of 19 wins.

When it comes to betting odds, the match presents intriguing numbers. The point spread is set at -1.5, favoring the Astros, with a total Over/Under of 8.5, suggesting expectations for moderate scoring. If you’re leaning towards a straight win, the MoneyLine offers the Astros at -212, indicating stronger confidence in their victory, whereas the Pirates are positioned at +178, presenting them as underdogs yet potential high-value picks.