Interleague Play Alert: NL Brewers visit AL Astros

Things often tend to get a little more interesting in interleague play, where the status quo gets shaken up and teams get tested against unfamiliar opponents. And this week’s quick two-game series between the Houston Astros and the Milwaukee Brewers should be no exception.

The Astros are currently tied with the Minnesota Twins for the number one spot in the American League, while the Brewers hold the second spot in the National League, trailing behind the dominant Los Angeles Dodgers.

So how will the interleague nature of this series affect the probability of the outcome, and what can you expect to see from these two teams?

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

Things often tend to get a little more interesting in interleague play, where the status quo gets shaken up and teams get tested against unfamiliar opponents. And this week’s quick two-game series between the Houston Astros and the Milwaukee Brewers should be no exception.

The Astros are currently tied with the Minnesota Twins for the number one spot in the American League, while the Brewers hold the second spot in the National League, trailing behind the dominant Los Angeles Dodgers.

So how will the interleague nature of this series affect the probability of the outcome, and what can you expect to see from these two teams?

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Despite the notable absences from the Astros’ dugout, the Brewers will still have some major threats to deal with. Expect to see the big bats of Josh Reddick and Michael Brantley to play a key role, while strong overall players — sometimes overshadowed by their all-star teammates — like Yuli Gurriel and Alex Bregman will have a chance to shine through in the lineup.

In the visitor’s dugout, expect Yelich’s home run trot to make an appearance, as it seems like it rarely doesn’t. And with the uncommon addition of the DH to their lineup for the series, you can count of the Brewers to bolster their offensive game with the most powerful bats they’ve got.

For the Wednesday game, the Astros are scheduled to send veteran workhorse Justin Verlander to the mound, who has been a perennial monster since joining the team. And with a record of 9-2 on the season and an ERA of 2.31, he’s probably once again an AL Cy Young contender. If you’re looking to put down an underdog bet, this one is for the exceptionally brave.