Friday, August 14, 2015

Minute Maid Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Alfredo Simon (10-6) vs. Dallas Keuchel (13-6)

The Houston Astros host the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park on Friday. The Tigers send Alfredo Simon to the mound to face Dallas Keuchel of the Astros. The opening line for this matchup has Detroit at +199 and Houston at -215. The over/under was set at 8. The Tigers, with a 53-61 run line record, cover the spread 47% of the time. They also have a 62-47 over/under record. The Astros are 63-52 against the run line and have a 52-58 over/under record. They cover the spread 55% of the time.

The Tigers head into this matchup with a 55-59 record, including 27-29 on the road. Alfredo Simon has a 10-6 record on the season, an earned run average of 4.74 and a 1.44 WHIP. In his starts, the Tigers are 13-8 over his 123.1 innings pitched this season while giving up 134 hits during those innings. Against the over/under, the Tigers are 12-8 in his starts. His teammates are averaging 5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 4.24 and they've given up 354 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .269 against the bullpen while being struck out 278 times and walking 130 times this season. As a team, Detroit has allowed 9.4 hits per nine innings while striking out 6.98 batters per nine. They are 26th in the league in team earned run average at 4.48.

Detroit ranks 1st in the league in team batting average at .273 while hitting .261 on the road. Ranked at 3rd in the league in on-base percentage, the Tigers sit at .330 and they hold a .427 team slugging percentage. They rank 1st in baseball with 9.46 hits per game and Ian Kinsler leads the team with 134.

With a 38-18 home record, Houston will hope to improve on their 62-53 overall mark. Dallas Keuchel has a record of 13-6 while sporting an earned run average of 2.40 on the year with a 1.01 WHIP. In his starts, the Astros are 15-8 and he has allowed 128 hits over 164.2 innings pitched this season. Against the over/under, the Astros are 10-13 when he starts. His teammates score an average of 4.4 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 2.73 and they have given up 242 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .200 against the Astros bullpen while being struck out 320 times and walking 97 times this season. As a team, Houston has allowed 8.08 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.59 batters per nine. They are 5th in the league in team earned run average at 3.49.

They rank 26th in the league in team batting average with a .242 average while hitting .249 at home. Ranked at 19th in the league in on-base percentage, the Astros sit at .309 and they hold a .422 team slugging percentage. They rank 28th in baseball with 8.08 hits per game and Jose Altuve leads the team with 130.

The Tigers have committed 56 errors and have combined for 1,124 assists and 3,068 put outs leading to a .987 team fielding percentage. For the home team, they hold a .986 team fielding percentage while committing 59 errors, accumulating 1212 assists and compiling 3,067 put outs.

Detroit Tigers Betting Trends

The Detroit Tigers are 62-47 against the over/under so far this season

The Detroit Tigers are 53-61 against the run line so far this season

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 52-58 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 63-52 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Detroit Tigers

08/13/15 1B Miguel Cabrera Calf "?" Friday vs. Houston Astros
05/24/15 P Kyle Lobstein Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/23)
05/08/15 P Joe Nathan Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/7), out for season

Houston Astros

08/13/15 CF Carlos Gomez Knee probable Friday vs. Detroit Tigers
07/02/15 RF George Springer Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/1)
05/19/15 P Samuel Deduno Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/14), out for season
04/17/15 P Brad Peacock Hip Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14); out for season

Tony's Pick: Take the Tigers

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