Roberto Hernandez (0-1, 1.93 ERA) and Jered Weaver (0-2, 8.71 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (4-5) and the Los Angeles Angels (4-5) at Minute Maid Park. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 17 and can be seen on FSN-W and ROOT-SW.
Hernandez is 0-4 with a 2.28 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts against the Angels. Jed Lowrie (.286 ) kept up his hot start Wednesday, going 2 for 3 with one run, one home run, and three RBIs. When pitching against the Astros, Weaver is 3-2 with a 2.94 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts. Mike Trout (.438 ) has been successful at the plate to the start the season for the Angels, going 3 for 4 Wednesday with two runs, one RBI, and one stolen base.
The odds for Houston and Los Angeles are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Within its division, Houston has a record of 3-3 SU. The Astros have seen an uptick in scoring against teams inside their division, averaging 3.3 runs per game. They average 2.6 runs per game on the season. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping nine bases. Houston’s pitchers fall apart when division rivals are on the field. Its average runs allowed per game rises to 4.0 against fellow AL West members, compared to its 3.4 season average. The Astros are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.6 walks per game so far this season.
The Angels are 4-2 against AL West foes. Offensively, the Angels have really picked up the pace in division games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.8 runs per game by averaging 4.3 in those contests. Moving on to Los Angeles’s pitching staff and defense, the The Angels allow just three runs per road game, ranking them fifth in the AL.
The Astros have a 2-4 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Weaver takes the mound. Hernandez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Angels, who have a 2-4 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Houston is 3-1, while Los Angeles is 0-2.
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Astros need to step it up. The Angels have a record of 3-0 when opponents get eight hits or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 2-2. The Angels have a 4-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 27th in runs, Houston has earned 23 this season. Los Angeles ranks 15th with 34 runs.
Ranking 20th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 24 this season. Houston ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 31.
When the Astros hit at least one home run, they are 3-3. When the Angels hit at least one homer, they have a 3-4 record.
