The Houston Astros will go for the sweep tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Astros came from behind last night to assure the series win, but they will have to overcome Chad Billingsley this evening in order to avoid being in the NL Central cellar alone. Tonight's game is set for a 8:05pm ET start.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Astros MLB Picks at SBGglobal.com have the Dodgers listed as a -124 moneyline favorite.
Houston improved to 6-9 overall and 4-5 at home with last night's win, but they still share last place in the Central with the Milwaukee Brewers. A victory tonight would move them into fifth place and give them their first sweep of the season.
The Astros did not get an outstanding effort from the normally dependable Roy Oswalt (six innings pitched, four earned runs), but he kept things close enough for the team to stay in the game. Houston's outfield trio (Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, and Jason Michaels) saw that they did that and then some as they combined to go 6-for-11 with four RBI and four runs scored.
The Dodgers had 10 hits in the game but left six runners on base. Starting pitcher Randy Wolf went seven innings, giving up eight hits and four earned runs. The loss left Los Angeles with a 10-5 record, a tally still good enough for first place in the NL West. The Dodgers had won eight straight games prior to their arrival in Houston.
Manager Joe Torre will send his ace, Chad Billingsley, to the bump tonight. Billingsley has been outstanding in his three starts this season, going 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA. He has 21 strikeouts and an amazing 0.95 WHIP in 19 innings of work. The 24 year old went 1-1 last year versus the Astros; he gave up 12 hits and four earned runs in 13 innings pitched.
Cecil Cooper will counter with left-hander Wandy Rodriguez. The Dominican native is also off to a great start as he is 1-1 in three appearances with a 1.89 ERA. Rodriguez went seven innings in his last start, allowing just two hits and zero earned runs in a 7-0 shutout against the Reds. He is 2-1 in four starts against the Dodgers over the last three seasons with a 3.80 ERA.
SBGglobal.com Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Astros MLB Picks:
Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+130), Over 8.5 (-110), -124 (Moneyline)
Houston Astros +1.5 (-150), Under 8.5 (-110), +104 (Moneyline)
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