LA Dodgers @ Houston Astros
We're forecasting the NL Central leading Houston Astros to complete a clean sweep tonight of the anemic LA Dodgers. LA have scored just six runs total in their last four games and we simply don't expect them to be able to match the offensive firepower of Houston.
The Astros followed their 18-4 rout of LA in Game 1 with an easy 6-1 win last night and have now won four straight against LA by 4, 5, 14 and 5 runs.
Houston are now 70-62 (.530) overall this season and are locked in a fascinating battle for the NL Central title with just 1 1/2 games separating the Astros, Cubs and Cardinals.
While tonight's starter Tim Redding has a three-game losing streak his numbers actually are quite solid. In his last three starts he has pitched six strong innings each time allowing a total of just seven earned runs. His 45 strike-outs to just 17 walks in his last ten starts gives a clear indication that he is pitching well and just needs better run support. The Dodgers are hitting just .235 this season against right-handed starters and we expect Redding to be able to contain LA's limited offense tonight. Overall this season he is 8-12 with a 3.70 ERA.
LA have lost four straight to drop back to 67-64 (.515). In their last nine games overall they have scored just 3, 5, 4, 2, 2, 0, 1, 4 and 1 run respectively at an average of only 2.4 per game. They have absolutely no chance of winning the NL Wild Card race unless they can start scoring some runs but that seems nighly unlikely this late in the season. LA would also have to markedly improve their road record as they have just 10 of their last 31 away from Dodger Stadium.
Toeing the rubber for the Dodgers tonight is veteran southpaw Wilson Alvarez. He has five starts amongst 14 appearances this season and overall is 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA. He will need his best stuff tonight as the Astros are hitting .276 this season against left-handed starters. Of course even if he can do his job and limit Houston's run scoring that still may not be enough to win as he will need some run support from his weak hitting teammates.
Houston are 41-26 at home this season and are averaging 5.4 runs per game....LA are 30-35 on the road and are scoring just 3.6 runs per game.
The Astros are simply a much better hitting team than the Dodgers and we expect them to continue on their winning ways tonight.
Recommended Play: Astros -135
We're forecasting the NL Central leading Houston Astros to complete a clean sweep tonight of the anemic LA Dodgers. LA have scored just six runs total in their last four games and we simply don't expect them to be able to match the offensive firepower of Houston.
The Astros followed their 18-4 rout of LA in Game 1 with an easy 6-1 win last night and have now won four straight against LA by 4, 5, 14 and 5 runs.
Houston are now 70-62 (.530) overall this season and are locked in a fascinating battle for the NL Central title with just 1 1/2 games separating the Astros, Cubs and Cardinals.
While tonight's starter Tim Redding has a three-game losing streak his numbers actually are quite solid. In his last three starts he has pitched six strong innings each time allowing a total of just seven earned runs. His 45 strike-outs to just 17 walks in his last ten starts gives a clear indication that he is pitching well and just needs better run support. The Dodgers are hitting just .235 this season against right-handed starters and we expect Redding to be able to contain LA's limited offense tonight. Overall this season he is 8-12 with a 3.70 ERA.
LA have lost four straight to drop back to 67-64 (.515). In their last nine games overall they have scored just 3, 5, 4, 2, 2, 0, 1, 4 and 1 run respectively at an average of only 2.4 per game. They have absolutely no chance of winning the NL Wild Card race unless they can start scoring some runs but that seems nighly unlikely this late in the season. LA would also have to markedly improve their road record as they have just 10 of their last 31 away from Dodger Stadium.
Toeing the rubber for the Dodgers tonight is veteran southpaw Wilson Alvarez. He has five starts amongst 14 appearances this season and overall is 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA. He will need his best stuff tonight as the Astros are hitting .276 this season against left-handed starters. Of course even if he can do his job and limit Houston's run scoring that still may not be enough to win as he will need some run support from his weak hitting teammates.
Houston are 41-26 at home this season and are averaging 5.4 runs per game....LA are 30-35 on the road and are scoring just 3.6 runs per game.
The Astros are simply a much better hitting team than the Dodgers and we expect them to continue on their winning ways tonight.
Recommended Play: Astros -135