Free MLB Picks - Giants at Astros MLB Odds: Now that Major League Baseball has turned the corner into August, San Francisco finds itself engaged in two late season drives. They are tied with Colorado for second in the National League West Standings a full 7.0 games behind division leading Los Angeles Dodgers and also tied with Colorado in the Wild Card race. Beginning Monday, the Giants will begin a short three game road set against against the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The Astros are in a pennant race of their own 4 1/2 games behind St. Louis in third place in the NL Central. Houston is 6 games in back of San Francisco and Colorado in the Wild Card race.

For Monday's game, fans should get a pitching duel if both starters live up to expectations. Getting the go for the Giants is ace Matt Cain. The 2009 Cy Young candidate is 12-2 this season and second in league ERA at 2.12. Mike Hampton will counter for the Astros. Hampton is 6-8 with a 5.36 ERA so far this season.

Bodog.com lists the Giants as -135 moneyline odds favorites with an 8-run total. Astros backers are getting +125 moneyline odds.

The Giants defeated Philadelphia 7-3 as a +155 underdog on Sunday. The 10 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8). Freddy Sanchez was 2-4 with a pair of RBI for San Francisco and Barry Zito allowed two earned runs on six hits in six innings.

The Astros defeated St. Louis 2-0 as +230 underdogs on Sunday. The two runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (8). Bud Norris pitched seven shutout innings for Houston and Miguel Tejada was 2-3 with an RBI in the win.

Free MLB Pick: Cain and the Giants are the pick -135 ml for Monday.