Houston at Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates opened last year at 51-44 through 95 games. They lost pitching and have no depth to replace it, so opening at 14-17 this year should be no surprise. The bats are marginal, but the pitching has become excellent. That is the combination that has led them to a 20-8-3 mark to the UNDER - best in baseball. Houston at 14-17 is a surprise as the Astros dropped 106 game a year ago. After a shaky start Bud Norris has pitched two straight good games, including shutting out the hot Cardinals his last time out. James McDonald has gotten to a 2.70 ERA by consistency, not having allowed more than 3 runs in any of his six starts on the season. The Pirates are now 15-5-3 to the UNDER in their last 23 at home. Houston comes in with a 13-3 UNDER mark behind Norris if he is facing a team that scored 2 or less in their last game. Play on the UNDER.