Lance McCullers (3-2, 2.45 ERA) gets the start for the Houston Astros (42-31) as they go up against Matt Shoemaker (4-5, 5.20 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (36-36) in the last of a three-game series at Angel Stadium. The Astros won the last game 13-3 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 3:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jun. 24 and will air on ROOT-SW and FSN-W.
In his last start, Shoemaker pitched 4.0 innings, giving up five runs, striking out two and walking one in a 12-7 loss to the Athletics. Mike Trout (.301, 53 Rs, 18 HRs, 41 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. The Astros were unsuccessful to the Mariners 5-2 the last time McCullers pitched. He went 4.1 innings, allowing three runs (two unearned), striking out six and walking three. Colby Rasmus (.254, 28 Rs, 10 HRs, 25 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Los Angeles, a -120 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Houston. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at eight runs. The Angels are 22-17 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -224. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (3-1). The Angels don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking fifth in the AL with only 8.0 hits allowed per game.
On the other side, the Astros have a record of 22-15 when they are the underdog and are +797 overall with the money line. Against divisional rivals, they are 21-15 SU and have played well as the underdog with a 15-6 record. Houston has been playing better lately, averaging 5.8 runs per game, more than their season average of 4.4. Houston is one of the top hitting teams in the league with 240 extra base hits. Houston is a terror on the base paths, ranking third in the MLB with 56 stolen bases. The Astros are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 3.81 ERA on the road this season. They have a WHIP of 1.18, best in the MLB.
The Astros have gotten the better of the Angels in head-to-head matchups this season, going 5-4. The Angels will take on a right-hander (McCullers) in this game and have a 27-29 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Astros will be the right-hander Shoemaker. Right-handed starters haven’t been a big issue for them as they sport a 26-15 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
The Astros won their last game by a 10-run margin. In games decided by a margin of 10 runs or more, the Angels are 2-1. The Astros are 4-0 in blowouts this season.
When leading after 7 innings, Houston is 17-12, while Los Angeles is 18-13.
The Angels managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Astros who are coming in with a 24-9 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Angels are 7-25. The Astros have a 9-21 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Houston has hit 107 this season. Los Angeles ranks eighth with 74 home runs.
Los Angeles and Houston both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Los Angeles sits at 14th with 7.97 hits per game and Houston ranks 13th with 8.00.
Ranking 24th, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.687). Houston ranks in the top 10 at seventh with an OPS of .739.
The Astros are 15-22 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Angels are 16-29 when they allow at least one homer.
