PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* MLB PLAY OF THE DAY (EARLY) >> 3-0 SWEEP Friday!
(MLB) LA Angels vs. Houston,
Money Line: -159.00 Houston (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -159.00 Houston (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Astros won 3-0 last night, handing the Angels their fifth straight loss, as well as the team's 10th in its last 14 games. Time is running out on LA, as the Angels have fallen 3 1/2 games back of the Twins for the AL's final wild card spot (tied with the Rangers) and have just nine games remaining (Twins have only eight). Houston has won seven of its last eight contests and is six victories shy of the second 100-win campaign in franchise history. More importantly, with Cleveland's loss at Seattle on Friday, the Astros inched within 1 1/2 games of the Indians for the AL's best record (top record would have home field edge in possible ALCS showdown).
The pitching matchup: Bud Norris (2-5 & 4.53 ERA) takes the mound for LA and Charlie Morton (12-7 & 3.75 ERA) for Houston. Norris has made 57 relief appearances in 2017 but this marks just his second start. In his first, back on Sep. 15th, he tossed two scoreless innings versus Texas in a game the Angels would win, 7-6. However, he is coming off a rough relief outing just this past Tuesday against Cleveland, in which he gave up three runs, three hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Norris spent his first 4 1/2 seasons with the Astros and will be making just his second career start against his former team, the other being a victory in which he gave up two runs on four hits over six innings in 2013 while pitching for Baltimore. Morton defeated Seattle in his last outing, giving up one run on five hits over six innings. He began his career back in 2008 and entered the 2017 season with a 46-71 career mark. Clearly, this has been a "career year" for the 33-year-old. Morton is 2-0 with a 3.74 ERA in four career starts against the Angels (teams are 4-0!), including 1-0 with a 2.70 mark in two starts this year (both Houston wins).
The pick: LA will be in "must win" situations the rest of the way and it can hardly be comforting that they have to rely on Bud Norris to start in this one. Meanwhile, as noted, Morton is having a "career season," and in particular, comes in 9-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 15 home starts (Houston is 10-5), while limited opposing batters to a .220 BA. Make Houston a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Bud Norris (2-5 & 4.53 ERA) takes the mound for LA and Charlie Morton (12-7 & 3.75 ERA) for Houston. Norris has made 57 relief appearances in 2017 but this marks just his second start. In his first, back on Sep. 15th, he tossed two scoreless innings versus Texas in a game the Angels would win, 7-6. However, he is coming off a rough relief outing just this past Tuesday against Cleveland, in which he gave up three runs, three hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Norris spent his first 4 1/2 seasons with the Astros and will be making just his second career start against his former team, the other being a victory in which he gave up two runs on four hits over six innings in 2013 while pitching for Baltimore. Morton defeated Seattle in his last outing, giving up one run on five hits over six innings. He began his career back in 2008 and entered the 2017 season with a 46-71 career mark. Clearly, this has been a "career year" for the 33-year-old. Morton is 2-0 with a 3.74 ERA in four career starts against the Angels (teams are 4-0!), including 1-0 with a 2.70 mark in two starts this year (both Houston wins).
The pick: LA will be in "must win" situations the rest of the way and it can hardly be comforting that they have to rely on Bud Norris to start in this one. Meanwhile, as noted, Morton is having a "career season," and in particular, comes in 9-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 15 home starts (Houston is 10-5), while limited opposing batters to a .220 BA. Make Houston a 10* play.
