Expect Astros hitters to be targeted often this season

[SBR Drew]

We here at SBR Sportsbook set the over/under on number of Astros batters to get plunked this season at 83.5.

In the past five seasons, only nine teams have been hit by pitches more than 83.5 times, but, with the anger over the sign-stealing scandal involving Houston, there is plenty of reason to believe the Astros will be targeted frequently.

Last season, teams were hit by an average of 66.1 pitches, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Astros were hit 66 times last season.

[Getch13]

It’s been a turbulent offseason for the Astros, and William Hill’s
oddsmakers think the opposition’s payback will be a pitch.
William Hill has released two props regarding how many times
the Astros will be hit by a pitch
this season. The total opened at
83.5 and those interested can
also bet on the exact number of
instances that Houston will be
plunked with 81 to 90 leading
the way as a +300 favorite.
“The trading team and I are
always looking for unique an-
gles that we think will interest
sports fans,” William Hill’s Di-
rector of Trading Nick Bogda-
novich said. “The Astros are the
talk of baseball so we wanted
to make props that we felt were
relevant and timely.”
The 2008 Cleveland Indians set the American League record
after they were hit by a pitch a whopping 103 times. And if you
think the Astros will shatter that mark, 141 to 150 HBPs offers a
250-1 payout.