Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and predictions

Skyler Carlin
Sportsbook Wire

The Houston Astros (5-6) take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (6-4) in the 2nd game of a 3-game series Tuesday. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Astros vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Astros lead 1-0.

The Astros defeated the Pirates 8-2 Monday with LHP Framber Valdez logging 2 ER on 3 H and 5 BB with 5 K over 7 IP. Houston has won 2 straight games after losing 5 of its previous 6 games from April 2-8.

RHP Roansy Contreras struggled to the tune of 7 ER on 9 H and 4 BB with 3 K in 3 1/3 IP Monday. Pittsburgh also placed SS Oneil Cruz on the 10-day IL Monday. The starting shortstop suffered a fractured left fibula and damaged syndesmosis and is expected to be sidelined for at least 4 months.