This is a 10* WINNER on the Astros.

There are a ton of implications going on in this game and in this series. Both of these teams are just 1.5 games ahead of Toronto for the final wildcard.

They're both tied for second in the AL West, one game behind the Mariners for the lead.

We have two evenly matched starting pitchers, and each club has enjoyed its fair share of frustrations over the last few weeks.

So in this evenly matched contest, I look for other factors to help me find which way the pendulum will swing as far as value is concerned, and the fact that Houston is 5-1 in its last six after three or more straight losses, does indeed make them the correct call here in this opener in my opinion.

I'm rolling with the ASTROS on Monday night.

Good luck, NP