The set-up: I think the talent discrepancy on the mound absolutely justifies in laying this larger price on the road. The visitors hand the ball to the steady Gerritt Cole, while the home side counters with Tyler Mahle.

The pitchers: Cole (6-5, 3.67 ERA) leads the league in K's with 140 through 90 2/3's frames of work (over his past four trips to the hill he sports a sharp 2.52 ERA while striking out 40 spanning 25 innings.)

Mahle (2-7, 4.33) hasn't pitched more than five innings in any of his past four starts.

The pick: Houston welcomes back slugger Jose Altuve today, which will clearly be a boost to the visitors, who also look to salvage the finale of this three game set after dropping the first two. All signs point to a rout, lay the price with confidence.

Houston Astros

9* play