Padres Game Preview: Astros vs San Diego - September 17, 2024 - Odds, Insights and More

The San Diego Padres are on fire, and they're about to bring that heat into Game 2 of their series against the Houston Astros . Both teams are in the thick of their respective playoff hunts, but Tuesday night at Petco Park could tip the scales in favor of the home team.

The Padres have been dominant in the second half of the season, while the Astros, though still a force, have struggled to find consistency on the road. A pivotal clash? Absolutely. High stakes? You bet. Popcorn optional but recommended.

How to Watch

• Date : September 17, 2024
• Time : 6:40 pm PT
• Location : Petco Park (San Diego, CA)
• T.V. : MLB Extra Innings, AT&T SportsNet Southwest
• Streaming : Fubo, MLB.TV
• Radio : KWFN 97.3, XEMO 860

Odds

• Moneyline : Padres -120 | Astros -100
• Spread : Padres -1.5 (+185) | Astros +1.5 (-225)
• Total : Over/Under (7.5)
  • Padres : Under (-120)
  • Astros : Over (+100)
• Odds found at Ceasars Sportbook

The Pitching Duel: Michael King vs. Hunter Brown

On the mound for San Diego is Michael King, who’s quietly putting together a stellar campaign. With a 12-9 record and a 2.95 ERA, King has been lethal at home, posting a 3.39 ERA at Petco Park. Historically, he’s also held his own against Houston. If he keeps pitching like royalty (pun fully intended), the Padres should feel pretty good about their chances.

Facing King is Houston's Hunter Brown, whose season has been solid but less intimidating on the road. With an 11-8 record and a 3.59 ERA, Brown’s road struggles are something the Padres will be keen to exploit. In his last two starts, Brown allowed five earned runs over 11 innings, which isn’t awful but might not cut it against a red-hot Padres lineup.

Predictions and Betting Insights

It’s hard to argue against the Padres' current form. They've won four straight when scoring four or more runs and have a good record against AL West teams at home. The Astros, while no slouch when it comes to playoff pressure, have faltered recently at Petco Park and seem a bit vulnerable heading into this one.

• Score Prediction : Padres 5, Astros 3
• Alt Run Line : If you're feeling confident about the Padres, an alternate run line of -2.5 could deliver a bigger payout. The Padres’ recent performances make this bet more appealing if you expect them to pull away.
• Alt Total Runs : The total is set at 7.5, but betting on the alternate over (9.5) could offer higher rewards. With both offenses capable of heating up, this could be a smart move for those expecting more action at the plate.
• Odds Boost : Check for any boosted odds promotions. A boosted odds bet on a Padres win paired with a home run from Manny Machado or Fernando Tatis Jr. might yield some attractive returns.
• Player to Hit a Home Run : Fernando Tatis Jr. is always a solid bet to go deep at Petco Park, and Houston’s Kyle Tucker has power to contend with any pitcher.
• Total Bases : Manny Machado has been seeing the ball well recently, making over 2+ total bases a favorable pick.
• Total Hits : Michael King’s ability to keep batters in check could lead to betting under on total hits for the Astros, especially given their struggles at Petco Park.
• Total Strikeouts : Hunter Brown’s inconsistency on the road could lead to under 6 strikeouts, which may be a safer option for bettors.

Game Insights

• The Astros have won four straight games when scoring at least four runs, but they’ve struggled to maintain that consistency when facing strong teams at Petco Park.
• The Padres, on the other hand, thrive against AL West opponents after a home win and have covered the run line in their last seven Tuesday night games. Is there something special about Tuesdays? Perhaps.
• Houston’s Hunter Brown has allowed five earned runs over his last 11 innings, while Michael King has only given up two earned in the same span. If you're into stats, that’s a good sign for Padres fans.
• Insights found at PickDawgz .

With both teams eyeing crucial postseason positions, this game should be a tense, thrilling affair. San Diego, fueled by home advantage and momentum, looks like the team to beat.