Mike Fiers (5-9, 3.87 ERA) and Brett Anderson (7-7, 3.48 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (66-56) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (67-53) at Minute Maid Park. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 21 and can be seen on SNLA, RTSW and MLBN.
Fiers pitched 5.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs (two unearned), striking out five and walking two in a 6-5 defeat to the Tigers. George Springer (.264, 43 Rs, 13 HRs, 29 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run and one stolen base. Anderson went 6.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out three and walking two in an 8-3 win over the Reds in his last outing.
Houston is a -120 favorite against Los Angeles and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Astros have an overall money line of +545 and a record as the favorite of 39-28. Against the NL, they have had a solid season, earning 6-2 and 11-3 records as the favorite and SU respectively. The Astros have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.9 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.3 runs per game. The Astros lead the MLB in home runs with 164. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 92 bases. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, it’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Astros. The 3.7 runs that Houston’s pitchers allow per game makes them the top staff in the AL. The Astros are the second-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.19 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Los Angeles has a 7-5 record and an overall money line of -1,185. Los Angeles is undefeated as the underdog against interleague opponents with a 1-0 record and 8-6 SU. The Dodgers can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking fifth in the league with 148 home runs. The Dodgers allow 3.7 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 4.8 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Dodgers are third in the NL with an average of 8.2 hits allowed per game. The Dodgers have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 8.6 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Astros have a 23-20 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Anderson takes the mound. Fiers (RHP) will be on the hill against the Dodgers, who have a 57-40 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Astros are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Dodgers have a 17-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 12-41. The Dodgers have a 13-39 record when opponents outhit them.
Houston ranks at the top of the league when it comes to home runs with 164 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top five at fifth with 148.
Ranking 15th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.12 per game. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 8.44.
Ranking 12th, Houston is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.728). Los Angeles ranks in the top five at third with an OPS of .758.
When the Dodgers allow at least one home run, they are 28-36. When the Astros allow one or more homers, they have a 24-38 record.
