Dallas Keuchel (19-8, 2.47 ERA) gets the ball for the Houston Astros (84-75) as they meet Rubby De La Rosa (14-8, 4.56 ERA) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (78-81) in the first of a three-game series at Chase Field. The game starts at 9:40 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 2 and will air on FSAZ and RTSW.
In his last start, De La Rosa pitched 5.2 innings, giving up two runs (one unearned), striking out two and walking three in a 6-3 victory over the Padres. Paul Goldschmidt (.317, 100 Rs, 31 HRs, 107 RBIs, 21 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs and one RBI. The Astros were victorious over the Rangers 4-2 the last time Keuchel pitched. He went 7.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out 10 and walking two. Evan Gattis (.246, 66 Rs, 27 HRs, 87 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 4 Wednesday.
Arizona, a +143 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Houston. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. When playing as the underdog, the Diamondbacks have a 42-51 record and overall money line at +109. They come into the game with notable records of 7-3 as the underdog and 10-7 SU against the American League. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking second in all of baseball with 131 steals. Arizona’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 3.1 during that span, compared to its 4.3 season average.
On the other side, the Astros have a record of 54-44 when they are favored and are -345 overall with the money line. Interleague competitors haven’t been able to get the upper hand on fiery Houston. The Astros hold a record of 7-2 in games where they were ranked as the favorite and a 14-3 SU. When it comes to scoring runs, the Astros have performed much better than normal against teams from the NL. During those games, they averaged five runs per game, above their 4.4 season average. Houston is one of the top hitting teams in the league with 515 extra base hits. Houston is a terror on the base paths, ranking third in the MLB with 116 stolen bases. Playing competition from the NL really brings the best out of the Houston pitchers. They allow 3.0 runs per game against teams in the NL, which is lower than their season average of 3.8. They have a WHIP of 1.20 on the year, good for fifth in the league.
In their previous three games this season, the Astros have a 2-1 record. This game will feature Keuchel (LHP) on the mound against the Diamondbacks, who have a 19-22 record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Astros will be the right-hander De La Rosa. They sport a 53-46 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
Houston recorded at least two errors for the 18th time this season.
The Diamondbacks are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Astros have a 24-42 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 14-53. The Diamondbacks have a 15-52 record when opponents outhit them.
Arizona ranks in the bottom half of the league at 17th when it comes to home runs, hitting 150 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at second with 223.
Ranking 14th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.31 per game. Arizona ranks in the top five at second with 9.19.
Ranking ninth, Arizona is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.740). Houston ranks in the top five at fifth with an OPS of .747.
The Astros are 33-53 when they allow at least one home run. The Diamondbacks perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 37-68 record.
