Dallas Keuchel (3-0, 0.80 ERA) starts for the Houston Astros (19-11) as they square off against Matt Shoemaker (2-2, 5.40 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (14-16) in the third of a four-game series at Angel Stadium. The Angels won the last game 2-0 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 9:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 9 and can be seen on ROOT-SW and FSN-W.
Shoemaker is 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA in his appearances against the Astros, but goes up against a below-average Houston offense which is batting just .235 this season. Kole Calhoun (.297, 13 Rs, 3 HRs, 16 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Keuchel is 5-1 with a 4.53 ERA against the Angels in his career. He is up against a below-average Los Angeles offense that’s batting just .226. Jose Altuve (.349, 16 Rs, 3 HRs, 20 RBIs, 11 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 3 for 4 yesterday.
Los Angeles is a slim -113 favorite at home against Houston. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently seven runs. The Angels have an overall money line of -498 and a record as the favorite of 9-9. Los Angeles has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 9-6 and 13-10 records as the favorite and SU respectively.
In the other locker room, Houston is coming in with an overall money line of +970 and an impressive record of 14-4 as the dog. They have managed to pull off a perfect record over their last ten games while playing as the underdog, and have a 7-3 SU record over the same span. The Astros are tough outs for opponents, ranking second in the AL with 10.3 hits per road game. The Astros are an excellent base-stealing team with an MLB-best 36 stolen bases. Houston’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL, with a 3.44 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Astros are the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.08 for the season.
The Astros lead the season series, 3-2. The Angels have a great 4-1 record at home (6-2 overall) against left-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Keuchel takes the mound. Shoemaker (RHP) will be on the hill against the Astros, who have a 10-6 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
Los Angeles earned its third shutout of the season in its last game. Houston has been shut out three times this season.
When leading after 7 innings, Houston is 9-4, while Los Angeles is 6-6.
The Angels are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Astros have a record of 2-2 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Angels are 4-11. The Astros have a 5-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 12th in home runs, Los Angeles has hit 26 this season. Houston ranks second with 42 home runs.
Los Angeles and Houston both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Los Angeles sits at 15th with 7.38 hits per game and Houston ranks 11th with 8.03.
Ranking 28th, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.636). Houston ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .723.
The Astros are 6-7 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Angels are 6-14 when they allow at least one homer.
