Astros vs Reds Picks and Prediction – 9/5/2024

The Thursday MLB schedule will get underway with a matinee between the Houston Astros and the Cincinnati Reds from the Great American Ball Park. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Astros (75-64) are a game above .500 on the road and hold a six-game lead over Seattle for first place in the AL West Division. Last night, Houston rookie SP Spencer Arrighetti (7-12) surrendered nine runs and could not get out of the first inning during an ugly 12-5 road loss against Cincinnati.   

Twenty-six year old righty Hunter Brown (11-7 3.55 ERA) will take the mound for the Astros in this matchup. Last time out, Brown (6.2 IP) allowed two hits and two unearned runs during a 6-3 home victory versus Kansas City. 

The Cincinnati Reds have won three straight games and are a distant fourth place in the NL Central Division standings. During Wednesday’s home victory. All-Star SS Elly De La Cruz collected three hits and scored three runs to spark the Cincinnati offense. 2B Jonathan India led off with a home run and scored three times for the Reds (67-73), who improved to 35-39 at home. 

Rookie right-hander Rhett Lowder (0-1 2.25 ERA) will make his second career major league start for the Reds. In his first start, Lowder (4 IP) walked four batters and struck out six during an ugly 14-0 home loss versus Milwaukee. 

Cincinnati SP Hunter Greene (elbow) has resumed throwing and hopes to return later this month. Through 139 games, Houston ranks 11th in OPS and 13th in runs scored. For the season, Cincinnati ranks 18th in OPS and 15th in runs scored. Take the under. Final Score Prediction, Houston Astros win 4-3.