It might feel a little premature considering the fact that it’s still July, but considering the fact that they’re just a game back of their foes in the AL West, haven't been in the playoffs since 2005 and are on national television, Wednesday's Houston Astros games might be their most important in a decade against the Los Angeles Angels.
ODDS ANALYSIS
These two teams are literally neck-and-neck in just about every respect this year. LA is 55-43 and up 6.71 units, while Houston is 55-45 and up 7.16. Both teams are even better against the run-line than they are against the moneyline, and both have been tremendously impressive at home and less impressive on the road.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Lance McCullers is only 21-years old, and the fact that he’s being thrown into the fire during a pennant chase is a bit insane. The kid has talent, though.
McCullers is only 4-3, but his 2.60 ERA is every bit legit. The first time he ran into the Angels this year, he allowed just one run over seven frames, and held Mike Trout and Albert Pujols to a combined 0-for-9 at the plate.
Garrett Richards has tossed at least 7.2 innings in four of his last five starts, and if he can do that again, you can bet the Angels will be in good shape.
The righty is just eating tremendous quantities of innings. He's getting rather unlucky as well with a BABIP against of .311, yet his 3.25 ERA and 10-7 record are proof that there is nothing unlucky about what Richards has accomplished.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We know, obviously, when we play in our division, it matters a lot. Obviously the Angels are us have been battling back and forth. It is three of 62 games left, so we've got to keep it in perspective. We want to win as many as we can. Obviously against them would be better, so it's the next series on our schedule, so we'll show up." – Astros manager A.J. Hinch on the importance of this upcoming series with the Angels
SITUATIONAL BETTING
You have to go all the way back to June 7 to find the last time Luke Gregerson gave up a run in a game. He did blow a save last week against the Red Sox, his third of the season, but he's got 12.1 consecutive zeroes plastered to the board, averaging less than 12 pitches per inning in that stretch.
PROP TALK
Trout and Pujols might have gone hitless against McCullers the first time around, but these two men are tearing the cover off of the baseball to the tune of 60 home runs combined this season.
Trout hit a granny on Sunday, and one of these men went yard in each of the games against the Rangers at home. McCullers needs to be on red alert for sure.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Games like this are the ones which will determine if the Astros do or don’t get into the playoffs. We have a feeling that the moment is just a little too big at this point for this team and this 21-year old pitcher.
Richards hasn't exactly had this type of big-game experience, but he's been around long enough to know what it's like. With all of the hitters in the Houston lineup prone to waving at pitches out of the strike zone trying to make a name for themselves, we think that Richards has just what it takes to shut the 'Stros down.
Los Angeles 4, Houston 2
The baseball betting odds for this Wednesday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone or tablet. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The duel between the Los Angeles Angels and the Houston Astros will take place Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at 8:10 p.m. ET at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX. Catch the action live on ESPN.
