The new-look Astros will continue their current 0-4 homestand against the Angels at Minute Maid Park tonight at 7:10pm (Central).
The Angels will send out Handsome C.J. Wilson. I'm actually quite interested in seeing how the Astros do against Wilson after seeing him once already this season. In yesterday's Kerry Wood recap game Biggio placed a big emphasis on the fact that they'd never seen Kerry Wood before that 20K game. Presumably, adjustments can and will be made. If Wilson goes out and throws a complete game shutout, then I don't even know what.
Anyhow, since we last saw the Angels in Anaheim from April 12-14, they are 7-12. They swept Detroit (!) from April 19-21, and haven't won a series since, dropping two of three to the Rangers, Mariners, A's, and three of four to the Orioles.
The Angels are 4-11 on the road, the Astros are 4-12 at home. SOMTING GOTTA GIB.
After losing five straight games started by Wilson from July 28-August 18, 2012, the Angels are 11-3 in Wilson's last 14 starts. They've won four straight Wilson starts.
Wilson threw 6IP, 5H/1ER, 3K:4BB against Houston on April 14. Wilson's last three starts:
04/21 vs. DET: 6IP, 5H/3ER, 4K:4BB, 109 pitches (65 for strikes)
04/26 @ SEA: 5.1IP, 7H/3ER, 9K:2BB, 110 pitches (73 for strikes)
05/01 @ OAK: 6.1IP, 6H/2ER, 5K:5BB, 123 pitches (77 for strikes)
So he's getting outs and limiting damage, but he has thrown at least 109 pitches in each of his last five starts.
*RHBs vs. Wilson: .243/.354/.351, 22K:17BB (131 PAs)
*LHBs vs. Wilson: .269/.375/.423, 10K:5BB (32 PAs)
*Wilson on the road: 4.08 ERA/1.64 WHIP, .340 BABIP
*Wilson w/RISP: .294/.457/.441. Ten of his 18 walks have come with runners in scoring position.
*Wilson vs batters in 1st PA: .277/.382/.319
*Wilson vs batters in 2nd PA: .250/.389/.477
*Wilson vs batters in 3rd PA: .227/.300/.318
*In the first game against the Astros this season, Wilson allowed three hits and two walks in the first two innings, and of course the Astros only scored one run. In innings 3-6 he allowed two hits and two walks.
*Jordan Lyles makes his second start of the season tonight. In his first start on May 2, Lyles held the Tigers to 6H/2ER, 6K:1BB in 5IP and was in line for the win when Rick Ankiel booted a ball in the 8th inning that allowed Prince Fielder to score, and the Tigers went on to win in 14 innings. This was the beginning of The Troubles.
*Looking at splits after one game is dumb in and of itself. But righties were 5x13 against Lyles (.556 BABIP). Lefties were 1x8 with a walk (.167 BABIP).
*Lyles is 5-9 lifetime at Minute Maid Park with a .724 OPS-against. On the road he's 2-11 with an .854 OPS.
