STEVE MERRIL
Screen Shot Friday
Astros @ Angels — A huge series will begin on Friday night in Anaheim as the Angels try to close the gap on Houston in the playoff race. Houston’s Dallas Keuchel is 17-6 on the season with all six losses coming away from home. Keuchel has two wins over the Angels, holding them to 4 runs and 10 hits in 12.2 innings of work. The Angels only hit .224 against left-handed starters. LA’s Jered Weaver is 3-2 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in nine home starts. He has pitched well against the Astros this season, including a complete game 2-0 shutout at home back in May. I lean Under 7 (+100) in this game.
Twins @ White Sox — Minnesota’s Ervin Santana has allowed just 1 run and 12 hits in his last two starts while striking out 21 and only walking two. He got fat and happy against the Astros, but now he has to face a White Sox team that is hitting .292 in their last seven games. Minnesota’s offense is trending the other way, hitting .216 in their last seven games. However, the Twins have won 11 of the 16 meetings between the two teams this season. Under 9 (-125) looks like the way to play this game.
Athletics @ Rangers — Texas’ Colby Lewis is a mediocre pitcher who has benefitted from run support while getting a 14-8 record so far this season. Lewis has allowed 18 runs and 23 hits in his last three starts. Oakland’s Jesse Chavez is 2-8 with a 5.27 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 13 road outings. The Rangers’ offense is in terrible form as they’ve been shutout in back-to-back games. This is a good spot to fade Lewis and take the A’s (+120), especially since the Rangers’ offense isn’t producing runs.
Dodgers @ Diamondbacks — Arizona’s Robbie Ray gets his third crack at the Dodgers this season; he’s looking for his first win against them. Ray has a 4.26 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in his outings against LA. Overall, he hasn’t won a game since July 7th when he beat the Rangers. But the Dodgers are only hitting .247 while averaging 3.8 runs per game against left-handed starters this season. LA’s bullpen is 6-19 with a 4.99 ERA on the road. Ray hasn’t been too bad against the Dodgers, so I’ll take a shot with the Diamondbacks (+115) as a home dog in this game.