St. Louis at Houston

The Houston Astros have shown a heck of a lot more this season than a year ago when they dropped 106 games. Last year's team would have rolled over and died down 4-0 early, but they rallied back to lose a 1-run decision. This is a strong home team at 18-13, and the Cardinals aren't the same club as they were a year ago, and are solid favorites again despite their less than .500 mark on the road. Lance Lynn will look for his MLB leading ninth win of the year for St. Louis, but a closer look at the numbers show the last four road opponents have scored 19 runs, so a bit more vulnerable than it appears, showing line value on the Astros. The Cardinals are just 3-10 in their last 13 on the road, while Houston has taken six of their last seven here vs. a team with a losing road record. Play on Houston.