MLB Odds Mets vs Astros MLB Picks – August 16th, 2010: The New York Mets are in the Lone Star State today to begin a four game series with National League rival Houston. While the Astros have the inferior record coming into this evening's contest, they are significantly outpacing the Mets since the All-Star break. Houston will attempt to keep that trend intact when the two clubs take the field at Minute Maid Park tonight (8:05 ET). MLB Odds at BetUS.com are favoring the Astros to do just that as the team is currently listed as a -120 moneyline favorite.
New York fell a game under .500 yesterday with a 3-1 home loss to the Phillies. The setback also handed the three game 
series to Philadelphia and put the Mets 10 games back of the first place Braves in the National League East standings.
New York will attempt to keep its slim division title hopes alive with young lefty Jonathan Niese on the hill this evening. Niese, the 23 year old from Lima, Ohio, has been a reliable arm for Manager Jerry Manual this season, posting a 7-5 record in 21 starts to go along with a 3.50 ERA. Niese has been extremely effective in his last two outings, both losses, giving up just nine hits and two earned runs (14 strikeouts) in 14 innings pitched.
The Astros won their third consecutive game on Sunday, completing a sweep of the Pirates with an 8-2 Minute Maid Park victory. Houston, despite its improved play since the Mid-Summer Classic (15-12), still remains 14 games under the break even point with a dismal 51-65 mark.
Wandy Rodriguez gets the call for Houston tonight as the team eyes its fifth win in its last seven games. The Dominican native is a pedestrian 9-11 with a 4.18 ERA this year; however, he has taken things to a different level in his last four starts. Rodriguez has given up a mere two earned runs (19 hits, 32 strikeouts) in that span of games (28.1 innings) for an unbelieveable 0.64 ERA.
MLB Odds Betting Trend: The Astros are 9-1 straight up in Wandy Rodriguez's last 10 starts as a home favorite with a total between 7.5 and 8.
BetUS.com MLB Odds Mets vs Astros MLB Picks – August 16th, 2010:
New York Mets +1.5 (-210), Over 7.5 (+105), +100 (Moneyline)
Houston Astros -1.5 (+175), Under 7.5 (-125), -120 (Moneyline)
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