This game could be low scoring as Lance McCullers (5-4, 3.17 ERA) and the Houston Astros (68-56) meet Clayton Kershaw (10-6, 2.34 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (67-55) in the last of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won the last game 3-1 and Houston leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 23 and will air on SNLA, RTSW and TBS.
In his most recent outing, McCullers pitched 0.1 inning, giving up six runs, striking out one and walking one in a 12-9 loss to the Rangers. George Springer (.264, 43 Rs, 13 HRs, 29 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run and one stolen base. The Dodgers were unsuccessful the last time Kershaw pitched. He pitched well, going 7.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out seven and walking two in a 5-4 loss to the Athletics. Adrian Gonzalez (.289, 65 Rs, 24 HRs, 73 RBIs) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Houston is a +160 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Astros are 27-27 as the underdog and have an overall money line of +534. They have performed well against the NL to earn an SU record of 12-3 and a 5-1 record when they were the underdog. Houston has been struggling as of late. In the last 10 games, Houston has only averaged 2.7 runs per game compared to the 4.3 they’ve averaged on the season. The Astros are a power hitting team with an MLB-best 168 home runs. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking third in all of baseball with 93 steals. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Astros, who allow an AL-low 3.6 runs per game. The Astros are second in the league in WHIP at 1.18.
On the other side, the Dodgers have a record of 60-48 when they are favored and are -1,285 overall with the money line. Against AL opponents, they are 8-7 SU and 7-6 as the favorite. Against the AL, Los Angeles’s offense has been struggling more than normal. Los Angeles has averaged 3.5 runs per game, less than their 4.2 season average. The Dodgers are known for their power, smashing 148 home runs. Shifting to the pitching staff, they have a WHIP of 1.20, third best in the MLB. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the NL with an average of 8.6 strikeouts per game.
The previous two games have all gone Houston’s way. This game will feature Kershaw (LHP) on the mound against the Astros, who have a 24-20 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed McCullers will take the mound against the Dodgers, who have a 57-41 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Dodgers have a 9-14 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
It looks like the Astros have a slight leg up on the Dodgers, as the Astros have won their last two games while the Dodgers have lost their last four.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 48-13. The Dodgers have a 50-11 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 15th in runs, Los Angeles has earned 503 this season. Houston ranks 10th with 529 runs.
Ranking first in walks, Los Angeles has earned 420 this season. Houston ranks ninth with 369 walks.
The Astros are 56-34 when they hit at least one home run. The Dodgers perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 52-34 record.
