MLB - ATL Braves @ HOU Astros Preview
With the National League Division Series tied at 1-1, Minute Maid Park will be rocking when the Astro's return home on Saturday, needing only two wins to advance to the NLCS. Houston won Game 1, 9-3, before the Braves rallied to win Game 2, 4-2, in 11 innings. Both teams won games having to come from behind, and a similar type of tight game is expected again this weekend. The Braves can claim momentum after an emotional victory - plus a very tough loss for Houston - but the Astros are going home to a park where they have won 18 consecutive games, and it would be a mistake to think either team is lacking for confidence. The Braves have won the only playoff games they've played at Minute Maid Park, beating Houston, 7-4, in Game 1 of the 2001 NLDS and 1-0 in Game 2. Every pitcher who worked in that series for Houston is either injured or has moved on, while closer John Smoltz is the only Brave still pitching for Atlanta who saw duty in that series. With two different teams this time, this is another situation entirely, and the difference could be the Astro's home record this year. Prediction: Astros @ 10/11/Under 9.5 @ 4/5.bet365 Game 3 Lines: Money: Braves @ 10/11, Astros @ 10/11.Run Line: Braves @ 5/11, Astros @ 9/5bet365 Series prices... Astros 2/3, Braves 13/10.