jimmythegreek
The opening odds start here
Houston/Anaheim over 4 even:
Houston (17-28) took their third straight thanks to 8 and 2/3 innings of 6 hit ball while Jason Castro and Matt Dominguez each went 2 for 4 with an RBI as the Astros beat the Angels 5-2 last night. Keuchel walked just one batter and struck out 8 before losing his shuutout in the bottom of the 9th thanks to a 2 run triple by Howie Kendrick. Garret Richards took the loss for Anaheim (24-20) giving up 5 ER on 10 hits in 7 innings falling to 4-1.
This evening Houston hands the ball to Scott Feldman (2-1 2.63) who comes off a shaky outing that resulted in a no decision against Texas. Feldman yielded 4 ER on 10 hits in 5 IP in an Astros 5-4 win last week. Just returning from the DL from a biceps injury, Feldman has looked as solid as his 2009 peak year where he went 17-8 for his then cross-state rivals. Feldman faces an Angels lineup that is averaging just under 5 runs per contest despite hitting just .253 collectively. They also have a balance of power throughout the roster as evident of their 49 HR good for third in the AL. Kendrick (.304 2 22) has been consistent so far featured in the top of the lineup and is 3rd on the halos in RBI behind Albert Pujols (.274 12 29) and Mike Trout (.263 8 28). Pujols broke out of his slump in a huge way on Sunday, launching a pair of home runs in Sunday's win over the Rays.Trout just recently ended a 6 for 42 slump (.143) but has struck out 56 times in just 171 AB's. Erick Aybar (.259 2 20) will also look to provide some fireworks after going through a slide since the end of April. Raul Ibanez (.148 3 20) has seen a major reduction in playing time. the 41 year old has had trouble putting the ball in play and hitting consistently as evident by his 31 fans in 97 plate chances.
Anaheim counters with Tyler Skaggs (3-1 4.53) who is coming off a rough outing against Tampa Bay which resulted in a 6-5 Angels win and a no-decision. Skaggs was tagged for five runs on eight hits and a walk in six innings of work, while striking out five. He was in line for a loss before Mike Trout won the game with his ninth-inning home run, getting Skaggs off the hook for the loss. The 22 year old lefthander faces an Astros lineup who is hitting just .235 averaging just 3.8 runs per contest. They do have a balance of power like Anaheim as evident by their 48 HR collectively led by Dominguez (.264 7 19) and a speedy Jose Altuve (.305 1 14) who leads the team in hitting along with 15 swipes. Dexter Fowler (.268 3 13) must sure miss the high altitude and favorable dimensions of Coors Field, but his patience at the plate has paid dividends as of late. Castro (.225 6 22) seems to be finding a way to produce after enduring a slow start. Now if only Chris Carter (.197 6 17) can cut down on his 50 strikeouts in 142 plate appearances he might kick the Adam Dunn like symptoms and start hitting capable of his weight to go along with his power. houston could sure use a boost from Jonathan Villar (.233 5 15) who has missed a couple of games due to a thumb injury.
We get a bargain of a price this evening out west where the ballpark in Anaheim can be favorable to hitters especially on the right side. The ball tends to carry well straight away in center and down the line in the left corner where righties thrive on the 329 feet to the foul pole. Light breezes blowing out usually means the ball carries fairly well especially in the summer air and these two ball clubs fall right on the mark as far as power and productivity is concerned. After a one-sided pitchers duel on Monday both offenses should get their way this evening against 2 starters who haven't looked their best combining for a 12.50 ERA over their last 6 outings. Houston could have a tough time escaping the AL West cellar while Anaheim looks to cut into Oakland's 4 game lead atop the division. Here's hoping for three straight this evening. Best of luck however you play!
Houston (17-28) took their third straight thanks to 8 and 2/3 innings of 6 hit ball while Jason Castro and Matt Dominguez each went 2 for 4 with an RBI as the Astros beat the Angels 5-2 last night. Keuchel walked just one batter and struck out 8 before losing his shuutout in the bottom of the 9th thanks to a 2 run triple by Howie Kendrick. Garret Richards took the loss for Anaheim (24-20) giving up 5 ER on 10 hits in 7 innings falling to 4-1.
This evening Houston hands the ball to Scott Feldman (2-1 2.63) who comes off a shaky outing that resulted in a no decision against Texas. Feldman yielded 4 ER on 10 hits in 5 IP in an Astros 5-4 win last week. Just returning from the DL from a biceps injury, Feldman has looked as solid as his 2009 peak year where he went 17-8 for his then cross-state rivals. Feldman faces an Angels lineup that is averaging just under 5 runs per contest despite hitting just .253 collectively. They also have a balance of power throughout the roster as evident of their 49 HR good for third in the AL. Kendrick (.304 2 22) has been consistent so far featured in the top of the lineup and is 3rd on the halos in RBI behind Albert Pujols (.274 12 29) and Mike Trout (.263 8 28). Pujols broke out of his slump in a huge way on Sunday, launching a pair of home runs in Sunday's win over the Rays.Trout just recently ended a 6 for 42 slump (.143) but has struck out 56 times in just 171 AB's. Erick Aybar (.259 2 20) will also look to provide some fireworks after going through a slide since the end of April. Raul Ibanez (.148 3 20) has seen a major reduction in playing time. the 41 year old has had trouble putting the ball in play and hitting consistently as evident by his 31 fans in 97 plate chances.
Anaheim counters with Tyler Skaggs (3-1 4.53) who is coming off a rough outing against Tampa Bay which resulted in a 6-5 Angels win and a no-decision. Skaggs was tagged for five runs on eight hits and a walk in six innings of work, while striking out five. He was in line for a loss before Mike Trout won the game with his ninth-inning home run, getting Skaggs off the hook for the loss. The 22 year old lefthander faces an Astros lineup who is hitting just .235 averaging just 3.8 runs per contest. They do have a balance of power like Anaheim as evident by their 48 HR collectively led by Dominguez (.264 7 19) and a speedy Jose Altuve (.305 1 14) who leads the team in hitting along with 15 swipes. Dexter Fowler (.268 3 13) must sure miss the high altitude and favorable dimensions of Coors Field, but his patience at the plate has paid dividends as of late. Castro (.225 6 22) seems to be finding a way to produce after enduring a slow start. Now if only Chris Carter (.197 6 17) can cut down on his 50 strikeouts in 142 plate appearances he might kick the Adam Dunn like symptoms and start hitting capable of his weight to go along with his power. houston could sure use a boost from Jonathan Villar (.233 5 15) who has missed a couple of games due to a thumb injury.
We get a bargain of a price this evening out west where the ballpark in Anaheim can be favorable to hitters especially on the right side. The ball tends to carry well straight away in center and down the line in the left corner where righties thrive on the 329 feet to the foul pole. Light breezes blowing out usually means the ball carries fairly well especially in the summer air and these two ball clubs fall right on the mark as far as power and productivity is concerned. After a one-sided pitchers duel on Monday both offenses should get their way this evening against 2 starters who haven't looked their best combining for a 12.50 ERA over their last 6 outings. Houston could have a tough time escaping the AL West cellar while Anaheim looks to cut into Oakland's 4 game lead atop the division. Here's hoping for three straight this evening. Best of luck however you play!
