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(MLB) Houston vs. Philadelphia,
Money Line: -138.00 Houston (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -138.00 Houston (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: It's close to being a first versus worst meeting as the Houston Astros visit the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game interleague series that begins Monday. Houston owns MLB's second-best record overall (LA Dodgers own the best) but own MLB's best road record (35-12) and its second-best moneyline mark (plus-$1948). Meanwhile, Philadelphia owns MLB's worst overall record (34-62) and its third-worst moneyline mark (minus-$2048). That said, the Astros are just 5-4 since the All-Star break, while the Phillies have captured five of their last seven contests, after taking two of three this past weekend from the Brewers..
The pitching matchup: Brad Peacock (8-1 & 2.49 ERA) takes the mound for the Astros and Vince Velasquez (2-5 & 5.14 ERA) for the Phillies. Peacock looks to continue his breakout season in tonight's opener of the series. He entered 2017 with 11 wins over parts of five ML seasons, having made 60 appearances (including 46 starts). Peacock has made 22 appearances here in 2017 with the last 10 (since May 22) all being starts. He's 6-1 in those 10 starts (Astros are 8-2) and enters this contest on a five-start winning streak while posting a 1.82 ERA. He is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two career starts against the Phillies. Velasquez was excellent at Miami on Tuesday, holding the Marlins to two runs - one earned - over six innings but settled for a no-decision in Philadelphia's 5-2 victory. It was his first start since May 30, after spending six weeks on the disabled list with a strained flexor in his right elbow. Velasquez will make his first-ever start against Houston in this one.
The pick: Philadelphia is playing better but I expect Houston to have too much for them in this series, starting in tonight's game. Peacock is red-hot and will go to the mound for a team which is 35-12 on the road while averaging a whopping 7.17 RPG. That spells bad news for Velasquez, who unlike in 2016 when he owned a 2.88 home ERA, has struggled at home in 2017, with a 6.26 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in five home starts. Make Houston an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Brad Peacock (8-1 & 2.49 ERA) takes the mound for the Astros and Vince Velasquez (2-5 & 5.14 ERA) for the Phillies. Peacock looks to continue his breakout season in tonight's opener of the series. He entered 2017 with 11 wins over parts of five ML seasons, having made 60 appearances (including 46 starts). Peacock has made 22 appearances here in 2017 with the last 10 (since May 22) all being starts. He's 6-1 in those 10 starts (Astros are 8-2) and enters this contest on a five-start winning streak while posting a 1.82 ERA. He is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two career starts against the Phillies. Velasquez was excellent at Miami on Tuesday, holding the Marlins to two runs - one earned - over six innings but settled for a no-decision in Philadelphia's 5-2 victory. It was his first start since May 30, after spending six weeks on the disabled list with a strained flexor in his right elbow. Velasquez will make his first-ever start against Houston in this one.
The pick: Philadelphia is playing better but I expect Houston to have too much for them in this series, starting in tonight's game. Peacock is red-hot and will go to the mound for a team which is 35-12 on the road while averaging a whopping 7.17 RPG. That spells bad news for Velasquez, who unlike in 2016 when he owned a 2.88 home ERA, has struggled at home in 2017, with a 6.26 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in five home starts. Make Houston an 8* play.
