Now on a 37-26 roll with the plays I'm giving away, including Florida (+135) over Philadelphia 3-2 Friday! For tonight's complimentary play, we're looking
at the Milwaukee/Houston match up...
Coming into this contest with the exact same record (54-55), I think its safe to say both teams here lack consistency. But that being said, there's no question the Astros play better ball at Minute Maid Park, and that also goes for tonight's pitching match up.
Lefty Mike Hampton gets the nod for Houston, and one start removed from his debacle at Wrigley, he shuts down the Giants, allowing 1 earned over 6 innings Monday! I know full well critics of this play will tell you that he's posted a 5.40 ERA against the Brewers this season, which is true. However, both starts were early-on, and we didn't see Hampton best stuff until Late-May. Also, the Astros lefty has been especially tough at home, going 4-1 with a 3.68 ERA over his L5 at Minute Maid Park!
Opposing Hampton is the Brewers lefty Manny Parra, who pitched relatively well at the Dodgers in his last start, but will be tested early and often tonight. The Astros prefer to hit lefties, especially at home, where they average 4.6 runs per game in that spot, batting .275 in the process! His career 3-3 record and 4.88 ERA against the Astros is nothing to write home about either! Parra has been a disaster on the road this season, going 4-5 with a 7.39 ERA, and I expect more of the same tonight.
Bottom line, after a nice win over the Brew Crew Friday, I'm looking for the Astros to take advantage of a solid edge on the mound tonight. Manny Parra has been nothing but a liability on the highway, while Hampton's best stuff comes at home. One final note, while the Astros bullpen hasn't exactly been sharp, the Brewers 'pen takes the cake, posting an ugly 7.69 ERA over their L3 games. In the end, the 'Stros protect their house Saturday night!
Take Houston behind Hampton over Milwaukee and Parra in this MLB match up.
Drew Gordon 8/8
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