C.J. Wilson (5-5, 3.39 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (36-35) go up against Collin McHugh (7-3, 5.04 ERA) and the Houston Astros (41-31) in the second of a three-game division series at Angel Stadium. The Angels won the last game 4-3 and Los Angeles leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 10:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 23 and will air on ROOT-SW, FSN-W and MLB Net.
Wilson is 7-6 with a 4.05 ERA against the Astros in his career, and is up against a struggling Houston offense that’s hitting just .240 on the year. Albert Pujols (.275, 44 Rs, 23 HRs, 47 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs, two home runs, and three RBIs. In his career against the Angels, McHugh is 2-2 with a 2.03 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts.
Los Angeles is a -122 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the Angels have a 21-17 record and overall money line at -324. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (3-1). The Angels are fifth in the AL in hits allowed with just 8.1 per game.
Across the field, the Astros have a nice record of 22-14 when they are the underdog and are +897 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 7-3 SU and have an unblemished 3-0 record when they were an underdog to win. Houston has been playing better lately, averaging 6.5 runs per game, more than their season average of 4.4. The Astros are known for their bats, hitting 233 extra base hits. The Astros have racked up 56 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. Switching gears to Houston’s pitching staff, they have the fourth-lowest road ERA in the AL at 3.79. They have a WHIP of 1.18, best in the MLB.
The Angels will take on a right-hander (McHugh) in this game and have a 27-29 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Astros will be the left-hander Wilson. They sport a 15-15 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
The Astros lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Angels are 11-12. The Astros are 11-9 in close games this season.
Los Angeles has won 58% (18-13) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Houston has won 59% (17-12) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Angels are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Astros have an 8-19 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Angels are 7-24. The Astros have a 9-21 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Houston has hit 104 this season. Los Angeles ranks eighth with 74 home runs.
Los Angeles and Houston both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Los Angeles sits at 14th with 7.99 hits per game and Houston ranks 12th with 8.04.
Ranking 23rd, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.688). Houston ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .733.
The Astros are 15-22 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Angels are 16-28 when they allow at least one homer.
