Edwin Escobar (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Collin McHugh (4-4, 5.13 ERA) take the hill in the first of a two-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (23-29) and the Houston Astros (22-29) at Chase Field. Action begins at 4:10 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 30 and can be seen on FSAZ and RTSW.
This is the first start for Escobar this season. Paul Goldschmidt (.257, 26 Rs, 9 HRs, 32 RBIs, 6 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two RBIs. McHugh went 5.1 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out 10 and walking one in a 4-3 win over the Orioles in his most recent start. Jose Altuve (.323, 39 Rs, 9 HRs, 29 RBIs, 15 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Astros, going 4 for 6 yesterday with one RBI.
The odds for Arizona and Houston are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Against the AL, the Diamondbacks have a 21-27 record SU. The Diamondbacks have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. The Diamondbacks are one of the best in the MLB in terms of batting average with an impressive team average of .269. Arizona is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 36 bases. Arizona’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Houston is 21-28 SU against interleague opponents. Offensively, the Astros have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Astros have a dynamic offense, ranking fifth in the league with 163 extra base hits. The Astros are an excellent base stealing team with 41 stolen bases, ranking second in the MLB. The Astros allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks, the Astros have the fifth-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.8 walks allowed per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Arizona is 10-15, while Houston is 7-13.
The Astros are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 11 strikeouts. The Diamondbacks have a record of 3-7 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Diamondbacks are 16-7. The Astros have a 14-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 18th, Houston sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 207 this season. Arizona ranks in the top five with 239.
Ranking 15th, Arizona is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 157 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at fourth with 192.
When the Diamondbacks hit at least one home run, they are 19-17. When the Astros hit at least one homer, they have a 19-20 record.
