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Read Article Cardinals vs. Astros prediction: Houston favored to win Friday's MLB matchup [4/17/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get St. Louis Cardinals vs Houston Astros predictions for MLB Friday.
MLB action continues on Friday at 8:10 PM ET as the St. Louis Cardinals lock horns with the Houston Astros at Daikin Park.
Peter Lambert (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will start for the Astros, while the Cardinals are going with Kyle Leahy (1-2, 5.14 ERA).
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' proven MLB model predicts the Astros as the most likely winner of the Cardinals vs. Astros game.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Friday's matchup, including best bets and picks.
Cardinals vs. Astros prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Friday's MLB matchup between the Cardinals and Astros, forming part of our MLB predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model currently gives the Astros a 55% chance of beating the Cardinals.
According to our model, the Cardinals (+1.5) have a 62% chance of covering the run line, while the 9-run over/under has an equal 50-50 chance of hitting.
Cardinals vs. Astros odds [4/17/2026]
We have researched the best MLB odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Cardinals | Astros |
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | +1.5 (-194) | -1.5 (+160) |
| Moneyline | +106 | -124 |
| Total | o9 (+100) | u9 (-108) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Cardinals vs. Astros picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Astros -1.5 | +160 |
| Moneyline | Astros | -124 |
| Total | Over 9 | +100 |
According to our MLB best bets, the top play to make on this game is Over 9 total runs.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Cardinals vs. Astros game-day updates and essential details
Friday's MLB game between the Astros and Cardinals at Daikin Park is scheduled to start at 8:10 PM ET.
- Who: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Houston Astros
- Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
- Time: 8:10 PM ET/5:10PM PT
- Venue: Daikin Park
Conclusion
We predict the Astros, with a 55% win probability, will likely beat the Cardinals in Friday's MLB matchup.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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