[Jeff Grant]

Sometimes you miss the line move on the SBR Odds page - but what can you do - still have to pull the trigger when an opportunity presents itself:

• I doubt Pittsburgh wants to be in Houston anymore, resting All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen for the series finale after taking the first three games
• Houston will be hell-bent on trying to snap a franchise-record losing streak (currently 12 games)
• Astros SP Lucas Harrell is putting up Roy Oswalt-type numbers when pitching at MMP, and the team is 5-0-1 after five innings when taking on NL competition in that situation
• The Pirates have relied heavily on the home run to win on the road, which is going to be hard to come by against Harrell, surrendering just two big flies in 52.1 IP in this ballpark
• Pittsburgh has swept four series this year, but none of those have occurred away from PNC Park
• Pirates SP James McDonald has allowed seven first-inning runs in his last three starts (18 total on the season, seven HRs)
• Pittsburgh has been shut out in three of McDonald's four losses this year

A lot to like in playing the Astros to potentially score first, and also walk away with a five-inning victory

[Jeff Grant]

McDonald is struggling with his control, but this Astros team is impossible to back right now