Friday, August 21, 2015

Minute Maid Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Brett Anderson (7-7) vs. Mike Fiers (0-0)

The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Minute Maid Park on Friday to take on the Houston Astros. Brett Anderson is the probable starter for the Dodgers and he'll face Mike Fiers of the Astros. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles at -133 and Houston at +123. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Dodgers have a 60-55 over/under record and a 53-67 run line mark, meaning they cover 45% of the time. The Astros have a 54-62 over/under record and a 64-57 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 53% of the time.

The Dodgers head into this matchup with a 67-53 record, including 25-33 on the road. Brett Anderson has a 7-7 record on the season, an earned run average of 3.48 and a 1.33 WHIP. He's pitched 134.2 innings thus far while surrendering 141 hits over that time and when he starts, the Dodgers are 12-11. Against the over/under, the Dodgers are 10-12 in his starts. His teammates are averaging 3.8 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 322 hits on the season and have an earned run average of 4.20. Teams are hitting .247 against the bullpen while being struck out 377 times and walking 115 times this season. As a team, Los Angeles has allowed 8.31 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.41 batters per nine. They are 10th in the league in team earned run average at 3.64.

Los Angeles ranks 25th in the league in team batting average at .244 while hitting .245 on the road. The Dodgers on-base percentage sits at .306, which puts them at 23rd in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .391. They rank 26th in baseball with 8.2 hits per game and Adrian Gonzalez leads the team with 125.

With a 42-20 home record, Houston will hope to improve on their 66-55 overall mark. Mike Fiers has a record of 0-0 while sporting an earned run average of 3.71 on the year with a 1.35 WHIP. He's pitched 17 innings thus far while surrendering 17 hits over that time in which the Astros are 1-1. Against the over/under, the Astros are 2-0 when he starts. His teammates score an average of 5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 260 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 2.69. Teams are hitting .201 against the Astros bullpen while being struck out 351 times and walking 101 times this season. As a team, Houston has allowed 8.11 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.69 batters per nine. They are 4th in the league in team earned run average at 3.43.

They rank 27th in the league in team batting average with a .242 average while hitting .249 at home. The Astros on-base percentage sits at .309, which puts them at 21st in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .420. They rank 29th in baseball with 8.12 hits per game and Jose Altuve leads the team with 141.

In terms of team defense, the Dodgers have a fielding percentage of .988 with 53 total errors, 1,262 assists and 3,185 put outs. For the home team, they hold a .986 team fielding percentage while committing 63 errors, accumulating 1277 assists and compiling 3,250 put outs.

Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 60-55 against the over/under so far this season

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 53-67 against the run line so far this season

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 54-62 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 64-57 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Los Angeles Dodgers

08/19/15 RF Yasiel Puig Hamstring "?" Friday vs. Houston Astros
08/14/15 P Juan Nicasio Abdominal Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/10)
08/13/15 P Joel Peralta Rest Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/10)
08/11/15 P Carlos Frias Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (8/2)
04/28/15 P Brandon McCarthy Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/26), out for season
04/06/15 P Bronson Arroyo Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/6), out for season
04/06/15 P Hyun-Jin Ryu Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27), out for season

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 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

Josh's Pick: Take the Astros

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