MLB matchup analysis
Astros vs Phillies Prediction, Odds and Model Pick
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park · 6:40 PM ET
Leo decision: Pass on Astros vs Phillies
The case for Houston Astros
The case for Philadelphia Phillies
Why it is not official
Why the setup score is what it is
Why the price is what it is
Read the full model output
The combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Final result
Astros 6, Phillies 5
How the analysis held up
Houston Astros won, the side Leo's model favored.
Leo's two internal reads disagreed pregame by 66.4 points — the team-strength model favored Houston Astros, the run-projection model favored Philadelphia Phillies. The team-strength model had the winner here.
Hayden Wesneski (Houston Astros), the starter Leo's pitcher score favored, actually outpitched Andrew Painter: 6.0 IP, 3 ER (4.50 ERA) against 5.0 IP, 5 ER (9.00 ERA). The edge held up.
Houston Astros scored 6, 3.3 more than the 2.7 pregame projection.
Game information
| Matchup | Houston Astros at Philadelphia Phillies |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, September 8, 2026 |
| First pitch | 6:40 PM ET |
| Venue | Citizens Bank Park |
| Starting pitchers | Hayden Wesneski vs Andrew Painter |
| Weather | Game-time forecast: 76°F, 0% precipitation chance, 3 mph wind from N. |
Starting pitcher matchup
Full Pitcher Matchup Tool →| Metric | Astros | Phillies |
|---|---|---|
| Pitching plan | Traditional starter | Traditional starter |
| Expected innings | 5⅔ | 5 |
| Throws | R | R |
| Leo pitcher score (higher is better) | 71 | 50 |
| ERA (lower is better) | 3.35 | 5.71 |
| WHIP (lower is better) | 1.03 | 1.41 |
| K/9 (higher is better) | 7.1 | 7.9 |
| K-BB% (higher is better) | 12.2% | 12.0% |
| K% (higher is better) | 20.0% | 20.1% |
| BB% (lower is better) | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| BB/9 (lower is better) | 2.8 | 3.2 |
| HR/9 (lower is better) | 0.6 | 1.5 |
| Ground-ball rate | 43.2% | 43.1% |
| Fly-ball rate | 56.8% | 56.9% |
Pitcher edge: Leo gives Hayden Wesneski a 21-point edge over Andrew Painter, driven mainly by HR/9 (0.59 vs 1.55) and ERA (3.35 vs 5.71).
How to read this: the scorecards above name the starters; every number lives in this table.
Strikeout Projections Full strikeout projections →
Same data source as the Pitcher Matchup Tool, where every starter on the slate is compared side by side.
Recent form
Full Stats page →Astros are 6-4 in their last 10 and averaging 3.9 runs per game over the last 15 days; Phillies are 7-3 in their last 10 and averaging 3.3 runs per game over the last 15 days. On the season Phillies carry the better run differential per game (+0.23 against -0.26).
| Metric | Astros | Phillies |
|---|---|---|
| Last 10 | 6-4 | 7-3 |
| Last 10 by venue (away team on the road, home team at home) | 7-3 on the road | 7-3 at home |
| OPS, last 15 days | 0.669 | 0.642 |
| wOBA, last 15 days (hot/cold read) | 0.295 | 0.286 |
| Runs per game, last 15 days | 3.9 | 3.3 |
| K% last 15 days (lower is better) | 22.5% | 20.3% |
Last 15 days only. Hot and cold streaks for all 30 teams live on the Stats page.
30-day offense
Full offense tool →| Last 30 days | Astros | Phillies |
|---|---|---|
| OPS | 0.655 (-0.068 vs szn) | 0.731 (+0.019 vs szn) |
| Runs per game | 3.89 (-0.615 vs szn) | 4.67 (+0.205 vs szn) |
| wOBA (model offense input) | 0.286 (-0.031 vs szn) | 0.322 (+0.008 vs szn) |
| K% (lower is better) | 22.9% (+1.1% vs szn) | 17.8% (-4.2% vs szn) |
Over the last 30 days the Phillies have been the better offense, 0.322 wOBA to 0.286. They are running hot against their own season line (+0.008 wOBA).
Season profile
Full Stats page →| Metric | Astros | Phillies |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 73-71 | 81-63 |
| Run differential / game (team quality) | -0.26 | +0.23 |
| Runs scored / game (offense, season) | 4.50 | 4.46 |
| Runs allowed / game (defense, season, lower better) | 4.76 | 4.23 |
| Season OPS | 0.722 | 0.712 |
| K% season (lower is better) | 21.7% | 22.1% |
| OPS vs opposing hand (season) | 0.728 | 0.711 |
Season-long team quality, not recent form. Run differential and run environment come from the season standings; splits for all 30 teams live on the Stats page, including the run environment table.
The Map
Full interactive map →Every team on today's slate, on any two axes you pick. Astros and Phillies are highlighted.
Bullpen matchup
Full Bullpen Fatigue Index →Risk is what the model actually uses: fatigue blended with how well the pen has pitched. High fatigue with high efficiency is a tired pen that is still getting outs.
| Metric | Astros | Phillies |
|---|---|---|
| Fatigue | 6.8/10, Tired | 3.7/10, Normal |
| Efficiency | 5.9/10, Effective | 3.9/10, Below average |
| Combined risk | 6.4/10, Tired | 4.3/10, Normal |
| Relief innings, last 7 days | 21.7 | 11.3 |
| Back-to-back arms | 6 | 5 |
| 7-day ERA | 2.91 | 6.35 |
| 7-day WHIP | 1.20 | 1.15 |
Fatigue measures workload. Efficiency measures recent run prevention. Combined risk is what the moneyline and totals systems use.
Run total projection
Full Totals Projections →The model and market are close. Team totals remain research-only until their graded sample is established.
More games today
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