Mike Fiers (7-10, 3.64 ERA) and Nick Tropeano (2-2, 5.06 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (80-72) and the Los Angeles Angels (77-74) at Minute Maid Park. The Angels won the last game 4-3 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 2:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sep. 23 and can be seen on FSW, RTSW and MLBN.
Fiers pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out six and walking one in a 4-3 defeat to the Athletics. Carlos Correa (.278, 45 Rs, 19 HRs, 56 RBIs, 12 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Tropeano went 1.0 innings, surrendering zero runs in an 8-1 defeat to the Twins in his last outing. Albert Pujols (.238, 75 Rs, 36 HRs, 87 RBIs, 4 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Houston is a -168 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 -136 and a record as the favorite of 50-40. Within its division, Houston has an 18-23 record as favorite and a 34-34 record SU. The Astros are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 484. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 110 bases. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Astros, who have a team ERA of only 3.48. The Astros are the fourth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.19 so far this season.
In the other locker room, Los Angeles is coming in with an overall money line of -342 and a disappointing record of 23-43 as the underdog. They are 12-16 as the underdog against AL West opponents, and 35-29 SU. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Angels are fifth in the AL with an average of 8.4 hits allowed per game.
The Astros lead the season series, 10-8. The Astros have a 53-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Tropeano takes the mound. Fiers (RHP) will be on the hill against the Angels, who have a 54-55 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
The Angels won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Astros are 19-28. The Angels are 29-16 in close games this season.
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Angels have a 6-10 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 13-51. The Angels have a 16-56 record when opponents outhit them.
Los Angeles ranks in the top half of the league at 12th when it comes to home runs, hitting 160 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at second with 209.
Houston and Los Angeles both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Houston sits at 14th with 8.27 hits per game and Los Angeles ranks 15th with 8.13.
Ranking 25th, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.694). Houston ranks in the top 10 at seventh with an OPS of .741.
The Angels are 42-60 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Astros are 30-50 when they allow at least one homer.
