Houston Astros Picks

Here’s a look at some of our top MLB picks. The season has come to a close, but we’re looking forward to the preseason in 2025. 

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Houston Astros History

The Houston Astros were established in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s, joining the National League as an expansion team. In 1965, they changed their name to the Astros, in homage to Houston’s connection to the space industry. Early years were rough for the franchise, as they struggled to find consistency and were often overshadowed by more established teams in the league.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Astros began finding success with players like Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Lance Berkman leading the charge. They made multiple playoff appearances and reached their first World Series in 2005, though they were swept by the Chicago White Sox. Despite these disappointments, the foundation was being laid for future success.

The franchise’s most notable era began in the 2010s, particularly after their 2017 World Series win, which marked a breakthrough for the team. However, this success was marred by the sign-stealing scandal that surfaced in 2019, tarnishing the team’s reputation. Despite the scandal, the Astros have remained one of the most dominant teams in MLB, frequently making deep postseason runs with a combination of elite pitching and powerful hitting.

Houston Astros Timeline

• 1962: The Houston Colt .45s play their inaugural season as an expansion team in the National League.
• 1965: The team is renamed the Houston Astros, coinciding with the opening of the Astrodome, the world’s first domed stadium.
• 1994: Jeff Bagwell wins the National League MVP, becoming the first Astros player to do so.
• 2005: The Astros reach their first World Series but are swept by the Chicago White Sox.
• 2013: The Astros move from the National League to the American League as part of a realignment of MLB divisions.
• 2015: The Astros return to the postseason for the first time in a decade, marking the beginning of a new era of success.
• 2017: Houston wins its first World Series, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games, though the title was later tainted by the sign-stealing scandal.
• 2019: Reports of the Astros’ illegal sign-stealing during their 2017 championship season come to light, sparking widespread controversy.
• 2021: The Astros make another World Series appearance but lose to the Atlanta Braves.
• 2022: The Astros rebound from past controversies to win their second World Series, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies.
• 2023: Houston wins its sixth consecutive American League West division title and reaches the ALCS.
• 2024: The Astros continue to dominate the AL West and make yet another postseason appearance.

Houston Astros MLB Record

In the 2024 season, the Astros placed at the top of the AL West with a record of 88-73, going for yet another playoff run. Unfortunately, that run was cut short when the Detroit Tigers beat the Astros 2-0 in the Wild Card round. 

Here’s a full look at the Astros’ record:

Houston Astros Stats

The 2024 Houston Astros had another impressive season, with strong contributions on both offense and defense. The team led the American League in multiple offensive categories, including home runs and RBIs, while also boasting one of the best pitching staffs in MLB. Here’s a breakdown of their key stats:

Pitching Stats

The Astros’ rotation, anchored by veterans like Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier, continued to excel, finishing in the top five in team ERA. Valdez, in particular, was dominant, posting a sub-3.00 ERA, while Javier contributed with a high strikeout rate and excellent WHIP (Walks + Hits per Innings Pitched). Houston’s bullpen, led by Ryan Pressly, also performed well, regularly shutting down games in the late innings.

Batting Stats

The Astros’ offense was explosive, led by sluggers Yordan Álvarez and Kyle Tucker. Álvarez was among the league leaders in home runs, RBIs, and OPS (on-base plus slugging), while Tucker added speed to the lineup with stolen bases and consistent power. The team’s batting average hovered around .260, with several players contributing key hits throughout the season.

Houston Astros Roster for 2025

The 2024 roster was loaded with talent, and most of the core pieces are expected to return in 2025. Players like Yordan Álvarez, Kyle Tucker, and José Altuve are expected to continue anchoring the lineup. Pitching-wise, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, and a mix of veteran arms should maintain the Astros’ elite rotation status.

Looking ahead to 2025, the Astros might make a few strategic moves. They could focus on adding depth to their bullpen or finding another reliable starter. Prospects like Pedro León and Korey Lee may get more opportunities as they develop, and the team might explore free agency to bolster their outfield defense or batting depth.

Houston Astros Injury Report

Injuries were a concern for the Astros in 2024, with key players like José Altuve and Michael Brantley missing chunks of the season. These absences impacted the team’s overall consistency, particularly on offense, though depth players stepped up admirably.

To learn more about how injuries impact the betting odds on the Astros, check out our comprehensive Injury Report page:

Houston Astros 2025 Betting Outlook and Trends

The Astros had a good run in 2024, which they’ll look to emulate in 2025. Our handicappers have predicted a few trends that may emerge as the season gets underway next year. Use these trends to help inform your wagering decisions. 

• Astros’ Run Line Domination: Houston often dominates weaker AL West teams, making them a strong candidate for betting on the run line (spread). In games where they face teams with sub-.500 records, expect the Astros to cover consistently.
• Strong Bullpen, Fewer Overs: With a top-tier bullpen and a pitching rotation that excels at limiting runs, betting the under on Astros games—particularly when Framber Valdez is starting—could continue to be a profitable trend.
• Home Field Advantage: The Astros consistently perform well at Minute Maid Park, boasting one of the best home records in MLB. Betting on them to win at home, especially against non-divisional opponents, could yield good returns.

Betting Trends from 2024

Here are the lines we were betting along in 2024: 

• Astros as Favorites: Houston was favored in most of their games in 2024. Bettors found success backing the Astros on the moneyline when they faced lesser opponents. Their high win percentage against sub-.500 teams made this a reliable bet throughout the season.
• Player Prop Bets on Yordan Álvarez: Álvarez was a popular choice for bettors wagering on home run props. His ability to hit bombs, especially in favorable matchups against right-handed pitchers, was a consistent moneymaker.
• Unders in Valdez Starts: Framber Valdez was a machine on the mound, consistently delivering quality starts. Betting the under in games where Valdez pitched was a trend that paid off, thanks to his ability to keep games low-scoring.

Key Players for Betting on the Houston Astros

While betting the run-line or total for Houston Astros games can be profitable, don’t forget about player props. There are a ton of great players on the Astros, and you can capitalize on their performance. Here are a few key players you should watch out for:

• Yordan Álvarez
• Kyle Tucker
• Framber Valdex
• José Altuve
• Cristian Javier

Yordan Álvarez

Yordan Álvarez is one of the most feared sluggers in Major League Baseball. Known for his raw power, Álvarez frequently clears fences, making him a go-to for home run props. His ability to hit for power against both left-handed and right-handed pitchers increases his versatility in the prop betting market. In 2024, he not only led the team in home runs but was also a key RBI producer, making the over on his RBI props a strong betting option. 

Bettors should also consider wagering on Álvarez for multi-hit games or total bases, as he has the ability to turn any at-bat into an extra-base hit, especially in hitter-friendly parks like Minute Maid or when playing on the road against teams with weaker pitching staffs. Keep an eye on his matchups—he often excels against fly-ball pitchers, providing extra value in those games.

Kyle Tucker

Kyle Tucker’s balanced offensive profile makes him a valuable player in a variety of prop markets. Tucker has demonstrated consistent power, but what sets him apart is his ability to contribute in all aspects of the game. His speed makes him a dual-threat in stolen base props, and his high contact rate makes him a solid choice for hit and run props. Bettors can look for opportunities to cash in on Tucker’s total base props, which often pay off when he is locked in at the plate. 

He’s also a great bet for runs scored, as his spot in the lineup often sees him getting on base ahead of heavy hitters like Álvarez and José Abreu. Additionally, Tucker’s ability to hit in clutch situations adds value to his RBI props, especially in games against divisional rivals where every at-bat matters.

Framber Valdez

As the Astros’ ace, Framber Valdez is a key player to watch for pitching props. Valdez is known for his ability to induce ground balls and limit hard contact, making him a prime candidate for unders on opposing team totals or game totals. He consistently goes deep into games, giving bettors more confidence when wagering on his strikeout totals. His ability to navigate tough lineups while keeping the score low means that betting on the Astros in close, low-scoring games—especially when Valdez is on the mound—can be a sharp play. 

His strikeout prop often hovers around 6-7 K’s, but in matchups against strikeout-prone teams, the over on that line has been a frequent winner. Additionally, Valdez rarely gives up home runs, so unders on opponent power-hitters can also provide value when he’s pitching.

José Altuve

Altuve remains the heart and soul of the Astros lineup, and his experience makes him one of the savviest hitters in the game. Bettors looking to take advantage of Altuve in the props market can target hit props, as he consistently ranks among the league leaders in batting average and on-base percentage. Altuve’s ability to get on base frequently makes him a strong candidate for runs scored props, especially given that he hits at the top of a potent lineup that includes Álvarez and Tucker behind him. 

His knack for coming up in clutch situations also makes him a solid choice for RBI props in games where the Astros are expected to score heavily. Additionally, while he isn’t the base-stealing threat he once was, Altuve still has the occasional ability to swipe a bag, making him a sneaky bet in stolen base markets during favorable matchups.

Cristian Javier

Cristian Javier, one of the younger members of the Astros’ rotation, brings electric stuff to the mound. Known for his high strikeout rate, Javier is a popular choice for strikeout props, particularly when facing lineups that struggle against pitchers with good swing-and-miss stuff. His strikeout total typically hovers around 5.5 to 6.5, but when he’s on, Javier can easily eclipse that number, making the over a profitable bet in favorable matchups. 

Javier’s pitching style also tends to generate weak contact, which translates to lower-scoring games when he’s in control, making him a valuable option for game total unders. Bettors should also watch for opportunities to bet on the Astros’ bullpen when Javier is pitching, as Houston’s bullpen is often called upon in the later innings to preserve leads in his starts. This makes team totals or live betting unders another profitable strategy when Javier takes the mound.

Houston Astros Schedule 

Here’s the Astros’ schedule for the 2025 season:

Houston Astros Odds

Houston Astros Summary

The Houston Astros remain one of the most formidable teams in baseball, both on the field and in the betting market. With a deep roster, elite pitching, and a potent lineup, they provide numerous opportunities for bettors to profit—whether it’s backing their moneyline, betting player props, or taking advantage of trends like their dominance at home. As we look toward 2025, keeping an eye on roster changes, injury updates, and emerging trends will be key to staying ahead of the curve.

For those looking to take their betting game to the next level, signing up for a professional handicapper service like Scores and Stats.com can elevate your experience. With expert picks, detailed analysis, and the latest betting trends, you can make informed decisions and maximize your profits.