In the last of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (5-6) and the Los Angeles Angels (5-6) at Minute Maid Park, Scott Feldman (0-2, 6.17 ERA) and Garrett Richards (0-0, 0.00 ERA) get the ball. The Astros won the last game 4-0 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 19 and will air on FSN-W and ROOT-SW.
Feldman has a 4.80 ERA and a 5-8 record in his career against the Angels, but faces a struggling Los Angeles offense that’s hitting just .217 on the year. Jake Marisnick (.333, 3 Rs, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run and one stolen base. In his career against the Astros, Richards is 4-1 with a 3.61 ERA. He meets a less-than-stellar Houston offense that’s batting just .202.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. Against teams in the AL West, the Astros have an SU record of 3-4. Houston has averaged 3.3 runs per game during divisional play, higher than its season average of 2.6. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in all of baseball with 11 steals. Whenever an AL West opponent shows up on the calendar, the Astros seem to struggle with pitching. They allow an average of 3.7 runs per game, but allow 4.3 against teams from their own division. The Astros don’t give up many walks to opposing batters, ranking fifth in the AL with only 2.6 walks allowed per game.
Against fellow AL West members, the Angels are 5-2 SU. When it comes to scoring runs, the Angels have performed much better than normal against teams from the AL West. During those games, they averaged four runs per game, above their 4.0 season average. The Angels are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 3.39 ERA on the road this season.
This game will feature Richards (RHP) on the mound against the Astros, who have a 2-5 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Feldman will take the mound against the Angels, who have a 3-4 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA
Notes
Houston won its last game in a shutout, its second of the season. Los Angeles has been shut out one time this season.
In extra innings, the Astros are 1-0.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Angels are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Astros have a 2-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 3-3. The Angels have a 4-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th, Houston is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 30 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half at 20th with 40.
Ranking 20th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 30 this season. Houston ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 37.
The Astros are 4-4 when they hit at least one home run. Los Angeles has the same record when hitting one or more homers.
