Reds vs Astros Prediction, Pick, Odds for Friday, May 9

Reds vs Astros Prediction, Pick, Odds for Friday, May 9 article feature image
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Photo by Thomas Shea-Imagn Images. Pictured: Hunter Brown

The Houston Astros host the Cincinnati Reds on May 9, 2025. First pitch from Daikin Park is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on FDSOH.

Find my MLB betting preview and Reds vs Astros prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports and more.

Quickslip

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My Reds vs Astros Prediction

  • Reds vs Astros picks: Under 7.5 -105 (BetRivers) | Play to -115

My Reds vs Astros best bet is on the under. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.


Reds vs Astros Odds

Reds Logo
Friday, May 9
8:10 p.m. ET
FDSOH
Astros Logo
Reds Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
+1.5
-160
7.5
-110o / -110u
+145
Astros Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
-1.5
+135
7.5
-110o / -110u
-175
Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here.
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Reds vs Astros Projected Starting Pitchers

RHP Nick Martinez (CIN)StatRHP Hunter Brown (HOU)
1-3W-L5-1
0.7fWAR (FanGraphs)1.8
4.19/4.16ERA /xERA1.67/3.03
3.65/4.09FIP / xFIP1.83/2.57
1.24WHIP0.88
13.2%K-BB%24.7%
33.9%GB%49.5%
93Stuff+111
108Location+107

Doug Ziefel’s Reds vs Astros Preview

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Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview: Tough Matchup Against Hunter Brown

The Cincinnati Reds come into this series opener scuffling. They've lost four of their last five, including a heartbreaking defeat to the Braves on Thursday in extra innings.

Their road trip continues on Friday, and their outlook at the plate isn't promising. The Reds' lineup is due for regression, as its xBA is six points lower than the team's batting average.

This is mainly due to their lack of hard contact. Cincinnati holds the fourth-worst hard-hit rate and average exit velocity.

Those aren't the metrics you want to take into a matchup against Hunter Brown.

Brown has asserted himself as the ace of the Astros, and he's gotten off to a tremendous start in 2025. Brown enters his eighth start of the season with a 1.67 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.

He thrives against teams like the Reds. He ranks in the 94th percentile in hard-hit rate allowed and the 93rd percentile in average exit velocity.

Look for him to shut down the Reds' offense for most of this game.


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Houston Astros Betting Preview: Bats Aren't Producing Much

Speaking of teams that haven't hit the ball hard consistently, there's no team worse than the Houston Astros currently. They hold the lowest average exit velocity in baseball and desperately miss slugger Yordan Alvarez in the middle of their order.

Projecting success for the Astros' bats on Friday is tricky, as they're due for positive regression but don't make loud contact and have tendencies opposite to the starting pitcher they'll be facing for at least the first half of this game.

Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez has been serviceable and consistent to start the season. Martinez is a flyball pitcher who doesn't allow much hard contact either, ranking in the 73rd percentile in hard-hit rate and 67th in average exit velocity allowed.

The Astros have the eighth-lowest fly-ball rate and home run total, so it's tough to see them doing much damage on Friday, even in their hitter-friendly home ballpark.


Reds vs Astros Prediction, Betting Analysis

While taking the under on Friday is heavily predicated on Brown shutting down the Reds, it's also just as reliant on the Astros' bats staying quiet against Martinez and a Cincinnati bullpen due for regression.

That being the case, we should expect the Astros to put runs on the board, ideally late in this one.

With Brown primed for another stellar start, this under should come in with little sweat on our part.

Pick: Under 7.5


Moneyline

I'm avoiding the moneyline.


Run Line (Spread)

I'm staying away from the run line.


Over/Under

I'm taking the under.


Reds vs Astros Betting Trends


Reds vs Astros Weather


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About the Author
Doug is a college football, college basketball and MLB contributor at the Action Network. He produces content centered around actionable advice with the goal of helping readers become better bettors. He studied journalism at Rutgers and has previously covered the New York Mets, Indianapolis Colts, and Mid-Atlantic region for Perfect Game.

Follow Doug Ziefel @DougZiefel on Twitter/X.

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