GUS AUGUSTINE
TODAY'S PLAY
The Pick: 75 Dime Houston Astros Run Line
The Line: At 8:15 am eastern, the number is -1.5 runs, +115
Instructions: Javier and Anderson MUST GO.
Your Analysis
I'm going to get some money back tonight with the Houston Astros on the Run Line, against the Los Angeles Angels.
While I will admit things have been hit or miss for Houston starter Cristian Javier this season, this kid can't beat himself up for a 4.34 ERA when he's 7-1 on the year. Tonight he has the chance to improve both numbers against the Angels, whom he's dominated two times this season.
With his two starts against the Halos - on May 10 and June 3 - he is sporting a 2.25 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, winning both while allowing just three runs on nine hits across 12 innings. Overall, in 10 starts against them during his four-year career, he is 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.84 WHIP.
I'm much more comfortable backing Javier, as the Astros look to close this series out and stay on the Texas Rangers' heels, than I am his counterpart, Angels' starter Tyler Anderson.
Anderson is just 4-2 with a 5.25 ERA, and has an alarmingly high 1.52 WHIP this season. And when it comes to facing the Astros, not good at all.
In his five career starts against Houston, he's 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA with a 1.61 WHIP, while the Astros are hitting .283 against him.
Great spot for the Astros to dominate.