Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Dallas Keuchel (7-2, 1.90 ERA) and the Houston Astros (36-28) meet Chad Bettis (2-1, 3.05 ERA) and the Colorado Rockies (28-34) in the first of a two-game series at Minute Maid Park. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Jun. 15 and will air on ROOT-RM and ROOT-SW.
In his last start, Keuchel pitched 7.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out five and walking two in a 4-2 loss to the White Sox. George Springer (.259, 30 Rs, 8 HRs, 21 RBIs, 13 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with two runs. The Rockies were unsuccessful to the Cardinals 4-2 the last time Bettis pitched. He went 5.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking two. Nolan Arenado (.271, 32 Rs, 16 HRs, 49 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
Houston is a -178 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Astros are 16-14 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +625. They are 1-3 as the favorite over their last 10 games. Houston has averaged 7.0 runs per game during interleague play, higher than its season average of 4.3. The Astros are a power hitting team with an MLB-best 85 home runs. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking third in all of baseball with 50 steals. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Astros, who allow only 3.7 runs per home game. The Astros lead the league in WHIP at 1.17.
Across the field, the Rockies have a record of 23-23 when they are the underdog and are -260 overall with the money line. Teams in the American League have been able to handle Colorado with ease. Over the past 10 matchups, they have not won a game and have a 0-2 record when they were an underdog to win. Against the AL, Colorado’s offense has been struggling more than normal. Colorado has averaged 1.5 runs per game, less than their 4.3 season average. Colorado is one of the top hitting teams in the league with 191 extra base hits. Colorado’s pitching staff tends to perform well when they play AL opponents. They’ve allowed an average of 3.5 runs per game against teams from the AL lower than their season average of 4.9.
The Astros will take on a right-hander (Bettis) in this game and have a 23-14 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Rockies will be the left-hander Keuchel. Southpaw starters have been a big issue for them as they sport a 3-8 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
Houston earned its fifth shutout of the season in its last game. Colorado has been shut out three times this season.
Colorado has won 46% (11-13) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Houston has won 58% (15-11) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Astros are coming into this matchup after a high-scoring game where they scored a whopping 13 runs. The Rockies have a 0-3 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they are outhit, the Rockies are 4-22. The Astros have a 9-19 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Houston has hit 85 this season. Colorado ranks sixth with 70 home runs.
Ranking 15th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.76 per game. Colorado ranks in the top five at third with 9.33.
Ranking 12th, Houston is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.720). Colorado ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .747.
The Rockies are 12-24 when they allow at least one home run. The Astros perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 12-20 record.
