Cincinnati Reds vs Houston Astros Prediction 5/9/25 MLB Picks

Houston Astros (18-18) vs Cincinnati Reds (19-20)

Game Info: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 8:10 pm (Daikin Park)

N. Martinez (R) vs H. Brown (R)

Betting Odds: Houston Astros -180 / Cincinnati Reds +150 --- Over/Under: 7.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

Where to Watch: MLB.TV

In this article, we will formulate a Reds vs Astros prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 9, at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds (19-20, 10-10 Away) are without a win in the last three series. They split with the Cardinals and lost to the Nationals and Braves. The Reds lost five of the previous six games. In the most recent 5-4 extra-innings defeat, Rece Hinds led the team with two RBI, while Nick Lodolo pitched for 6.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. Taylor Rogers took the loss.

This year, the Reds average 4.74 runs per game (11th in the MLB) on a .242/.322/.383 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Reds’ staff has a 3.58 ERA (9th) and 1.12 WHIP (1st). Elly De La Cruz leads the Reds with a .258 batting average, five home runs, and 25 RBI this season.

Nick Martinez will take the mound for the Reds on Friday. The 34-year-old right-hander has a 1-3 record in seven starts this year with a 4.19 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 38.2 innings.

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros (18-18, 11-7 Home) have also not been playing well lately. They won just one of the previous four series, and it was against the Tigers, while the Astros lost to the Royals, White Sox, and Brewers. Houston did manage to avoid getting swept by Milwaukee with a 9-1 win in Game 3 of that series. Jeremy Pena led the team with four RBI, while Framber Valdez got the win after allowing one run on three hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over 7.0 innings of work.

This year, the Astros average 4.03 runs per game (19th in the MLB) on a .241/.313/.366 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Astros’ staff has a 3.36 ERA (5th) and 1.13 WHIP (2nd). Yordan Alvarez leads the Astros with a .210 batting average, three home runs, and 18 RBI this season.

The projected starting pitcher for the Astros is Hunter Brown, who is 5-1 in seven starts this season, with a 1.67 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 43.0 innings.

Why the Astros will beat the Reds

  • The Astros have won five of their last six home games.
  • The Reds have lost five of their last six games after playing the previous day.
  • The Astros have covered the run line in five of their last six home games.
  • The Reds have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games as road underdogs against AL West opponents following a road loss.

Total Runs Facts

  • Each of the Reds' last four games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
  • Each of the Astros' last four night games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
  • The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in nine of the Reds' last 10 night games against AL West opponents.
  • The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Astros' last seven Friday games at Daikin Park.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Astros rank 4th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.216).
  • The Astros rank T26th in the league for doubles this season (48).
  • The Reds rank T5th in the league for steals this season (43).
  • The Reds rank T5th in the league for walks this season (143).

Reds vs Astros Prediction

The Reds have dominated the Astros in recent years, as they won nine of the previous ten H2H encounters. Cincinnati won nine in a row against Houston, but I am backing the Astros in this one because they are starting their best pitcher, Hunter Brown. He has posted quality starts in each start this year, and in three of those, Brown shut out his opponents. Brown allowed a .167 BA in 18 at-bats against the Reds. Nick Martinez, on the other hand, has been solid in his last three starts, but I think he will face a challenge in Houston on Friday. Martinez allowed a .239 BA in 71 at-bats against the Astros. Go with the Astros.

Oliver’s Pick Astros ML

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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