Thursday, July 30, 2015

Minute Maid Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Matt Shoemaker (5-7) vs. Scott Kazmir (6-5)

The Los Angeles Angels visit Minute Maid Park on Thursday to play the Houston Astros. The probable starters are Matt Shoemaker for the Angels and Scott Kazmir for the Astros. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles at +127 and Houston at -137. The over/under was set at 8. The Angels have a 45-50 over/under record and a 51-48 run line mark, meaning they cover 43% of the time. The Astros are 57-44 against the run line and have a 46-50 over/under record. They cover the spread 56% of the time.

The Angels head into this matchup with a 55-44 record, including 23-23 on the road. Matt Shoemaker has a 5-7 record on the season, an earned run average of 4.55 and a 1.27 WHIP. In his starts, the Angels are 9-8 over his 97 innings pitched this season while giving up 99 hits during those innings. Against the over/under, the Angels are 8-7 in his starts. The team is averaging 4.4 runs when he starts. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.48 and they've given up 245 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .237 against the bullpen while being struck out 245 times and walking 84 times this season. As a team, Los Angeles has allowed 8.15 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.8 batters per nine. They are 4th in the league in team earned run average at 3.34.

Los Angeles is batting .252 as a team, which is good for 17th in the league and hitting .247 away from home. Ranked at 4th in the league in on-base percentage, the Angels sit at .326 and they hold a .423 team slugging percentage. They rank 24th in baseball with 8.31 hits per game and Mike Trout leads the team with 113.

With a 34-17 home record, Houston will hope to improve on their 56-45 overall mark. Scott Kazmir has a record of 6-5 while sporting an earned run average of 2.24 on the year with a 1.05 WHIP. In his starts, the Astros are 9-10 and he has allowed 87 hits over 116.2 innings pitched this season. Against the over/under, the Astros are 9-9 when he starts. The team is averaging 4.1 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 2.64 and they have given up 207 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .196 against the Astros bullpen while being struck out 279 times and walking 84 times this season. As a team, Houston has allowed 8.02 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.59 batters per nine. They are 8th in the league in team earned run average at 3.53.

They are batting .244 as a team, which is good for 25th in the league and hitting .246 at home. Ranked at 20th in the league in on-base percentage, the Astros sit at .311 and they hold a .425 team slugging percentage. They rank 25th in baseball with 8.15 hits per game and Jose Altuve leads the team with 112.

The Angels have committed 55 errors and have combined for 892 assists and 2,639 put outs leading to a .985 team fielding percentage. For the home team, they hold a .987 team fielding percentage while committing 51 errors, accumulating 1087 assists and compiling 2,702 put outs.

Los Angeles Angels Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Angels are 45-50 against the over/under so far this season

The Los Angeles Angels are 51-48 against the run line so far this season

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 46-50 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 57-44 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Los Angeles Angels

07/28/15 LF Matt Joyce Concussion 7-day DL (7/27)
07/28/15 CF Mike Trout Wrist "?" Wednesday vs. Houston Astros
07/22/15 3B David Freese Finger Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/22)
06/21/15 P Jered Weaver Hip Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/21)
06/03/15 P Mike Morin Oblique Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/24)
05/28/15 RF Collin Cowgill Wrist Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/27)
04/16/15 P Tyler Skaggs Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 P Cory Rasmus Abdominal Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Houston Astros

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 15 day disabled list (5/14), out for season
04/28/15 SS Jed Lowrie Thumb Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/28)
04/17/15 P Brad Peacock Hip Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14)

Josh's Pick: Take the Astros

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