The
Houston Astros notched a 3-1 win in Friday’s opener against the Los Angeles
Dodgers. Saturday
night’s Los Angeles’
Chad Billingsley opposes Houston’s Bud Norris. Sports books opened Billingsley as a 140
favorite, while first setting the ‘total’ at a flat seven.
Billingsley picked up a no-decision in Sunday’s 6-5 victory for Los Angeles as a 106 home dog against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 27-year-old gave up three earned runs on eight hits, lasting six innings.
Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke blasted a three-run homer in the seventh frame, giving his squad its go-ahead surge. Los Angeles’ Bobby Abreu and Elian Herrera both logged 3-for-4 nights, while mate Adam Kennedy went 1-for-2 with a triple.
The contest’s combined 11 runs leaped above the ‘total’ of seven, lifting the OVER to 6-0-1 in Billingsley’s last seven starts. Los Angeles’ relief crew held St. Louis hitless in the final three innings, with Javy Guerra and Kenley Jansen logging the staff’s win and save, respectively.
Norris stays stingy
Norris notched a fourth straight win in Monday’s 8-4 triumph for Houston as a minus 103 home choice against the Chicago Cubs. The fourth-year hurler allowed no runs over seven innings, while tossing eight strikeouts.
Houston’s Jed Lowrie and Chris Johnson both cracked homers, uniting to hit 5-for-8. Johnson finished with three RBIs, while leadoff man Jose Altuve struggled in a 0-for-4 night.
The battle’s combined 12 runs soared above the ‘total’ of seven, bringing the OVER to 6-2 in Norris’ last eight outings. Astros reliever Enerio Del Rosario gave up three runs in the eighth inning, while Houston was edged out in hits, 11-8.
Back the OVER in L.A.Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. (ET). The weather forecast in Los Angeles calls for a 60-degree evening, with calm winds.
I am adding the OVER in this duel to my MLB picks for the night’s action. Los Angeles has hit .285 against right-handed pitching at home (.359 OBP), while Houston’s lineup hung nine runs on Billingsley in a 12-0 blitz of the Dodgers last month.
Billingsley has allowed eight hits in each of his last two starts at Dodger Stadium, leading to a combined seven earned runs over 10 innings. The outings lifted the hurler’s home WHIP to a sizable 1.67, with the OVER going 3-1-1 in the span’s five dates.
Norris has been on a tight run, but has given up four homers in 23 2/3 IP on the road. Los Angeles’ Andre Ethier has one long ball in just six career at-bat’s against Norris, while Adam Kennedy and James Loney have united to hit a solid 6-for-13 lifetime.
Houston’s Carlos Lee poked a double Friday after hitting 5-for-11 in his squad’s set this week with the Cubs. The three-time All-Star should stay hot in Saturday’s matchup, coming into the series with a stellar .396 OBP against right-handed pitching and a homer off Billingsley last month.
The OVER is 5-0 in Billingsley’s last five home starts with a ‘total’ set between seven and 8 ½, while going 6-1 in Norris’ last seven outings that followed a ‘Quality Start.’ Look for OVER backers to cash again here, with the octane rising on both sides after a stiff opener.