Jered Weaver (0-4, 6.29 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (13-16) meet Roberto Hernandez (1-2, 4.25 ERA) and the Houston Astros (19-10) in the second of a four-game division series at Angel Stadium. The Astros won the last game 3-2 and Houston leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 10:05 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 8 and will air on ROOT-SW and FSN-W.
Weaver has a 2.95 ERA and a 3-2 record in his career against the Astros, and faces a less-than-stellar Houston offense that’s hitting just .237 on the year. Mike Trout (.298, 24 Rs, 8 HRs, 18 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Angels, Hernandez is 0-4 with a 2.47 ERA. He gets a struggling Los Angeles offense that’s batting just .227. Jake Marisnick (.338, 14 Rs, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Los Angeles is a -142 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. The Angels are 9-8 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -396. They have impressive records of 9-5 as the favorite and 13-9 SU within their division. The Angels seem to play better against their division opponents, averaging 4.2 runs per game, well over their season average of 3.8.
Switching gears, the Astros come into this game with a solid win percentage of .765 when playing as the underdog (13-4) and an overall money line of +870. Over the last 10 games, they were unbeaten as the underdog with a perfect 6-0 record and 7-3 SU. The Astros are the top-ranked scoring offense in the AL when playing on the road, averaging six runs per game so far. Houston is one of the top road hitting teams in the AL with an average of 10.7 hits per contest. The Astros have racked up 36 steals on the year, making them the most threatening base-running team in the league. Switching gears to Houston’s pitching staff, they have the fourth-lowest ERA in the AL at 3.49. They have a WHIP of 1.09, best in the MLB.
In their previous four games this season, the Astros have a 3-1 record. The Angels will take on a right-hander (Hernandez) in this game. They have done very poorly against right-handed starting pitchers this season (7-13), especially at home where they have a 2-6 record. The right-handed Weaver will take the mound against the Astros, who have a 10-6 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Astros won by a margin of one run. The Angels are 4-6 in one-run games. The Astros have a 7-2 record in close games.
The Astros are 3-0 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Angels are 0-1 in such matchups.
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Angels have a 1-5 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Angels are 7-5. The Astros have an 11-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 22nd in runs, Los Angeles has earned 108 this season. Houston ranks seventh with 133 runs.
Ranking 19th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 78 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at third with 104.
When the Angels hit at least one home run, they are 10-9. When the Astros hit at least one homer, they have a 14-7 record.
