Patrick Corbin (2-4, 4.21 ERA) and Lance McCullers (1-1, 4.60 ERA) start in the second of a two-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (23-30) and the Houston Astros (23-29) at Chase Field. The Astros won the last game 8-3, and Houston leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 3:40 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 31 and can be seen on FSAZ and RTSW.
Corbin pitched 5.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering five runs (one unearned), striking out five and walking two in an 8-3 defeat to the Pirates. Jake Lamb (.280, 25 Rs, 8 HRs, 27 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. McCullers went 5.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out 10 and walking six in a 4-2 win over the Orioles in his last outing. Jose Altuve (.325, 41 Rs, 9 HRs, 30 RBIs, 15 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Astros, going 2 for 5 yesterday with two runs and one RBI.
The odds for Arizona and Houston are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. In interleague play, the Diamondbacks have a 21-27 record SU. The Diamondbacks have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. The Diamondbacks are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits with an impressive 9.4 per game. Arizona’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Houston is 21-28 SU against teams in the NL. Offensively, the Astros have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Astros have a dynamic offense, ranking fifth in the league with 166 extra base hits. The Astros are an excellent base stealing team with 41 stolen bases, ranking second in the MLB. The Astros allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks, the Astros have the fourth-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.8 walks allowed per game.
The Astros have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU
Notes
Houston has won 35% (7-13) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Arizona has won 40% (10-15) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Diamondbacks have a 4-12 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Diamondbacks are 16-7. The Astros have a 15-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 16th, Houston sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 215 this season. Arizona ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 242.
Ranking 15th, Arizona is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 158 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at fourth with 195.
The Diamondbacks are 19-18 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Astros are 19-20 when they hit at least one homer.
