So many angles to look at this game I made myself dizzy.
Crash Davis said "respect the streak"
Astros have won seven consecutive home playoff games.
No team has ever won eight.
Do you fade that streak, or stay with the hot home team?
Pitching match up is a mismatch.
Hill is the superior starter.
From May 1 to September 1 Hill went on that insanely ridiculous streak where in 17 starts he went 13 and 1 with three no decision team wins.
Then in September he became normal, went 2 and 2, and in his only post season start gave up 3 solo home runs to the Cubs in a 3-2 loss.
He finished the year 16 and 3, 2.72 ERA, WH/IP ratio of 1.06, and a strike out rate of exactly 1 per inning.
All stellar numbers.
Hill's also a road warrior, he was much better on the road then at home.
His road splits are 7 and 1 record, with a 2.24 ERA and a batting average against of .203
Those road numbers are filthy.
Astro's start Charlie Morton.
The pride of Redding Ct. He used to pitch HS ball in Redding up the ways a bit here in Ct.
He and Matt Harvey were Connecticut High School pitching legends, big turnouts for a HS game when those two pitched.
Braves drafted Morton right out of HS, pitched six minor league seasons, made his pro debut in 2008 and was brutal. Braves dumped him to the Pirates after that dismal rookie year (for Nate McClouth) and pretty much sucked ass for Pittsburgh for four more years then turned it around.
The last three season in Pitt were good, not great. Got traded to Philly 2 years ago, didn't do much.
Astro's signed him as a free agent and had a solid year, nothing close to Hill's year though.
So, we've established the Dodgers have the big edge in starting pitching, they also have the edge in the bullpen.
This is what the Astros have going for them tonight.
Houston creams left handed pitching, and they are home seeking a home consecutive all time post season winning streak.
Houston has a slight edge in team defense.
But if you look at the entire picture, on paper the Dodgers can hit mediocre pitching just fine, and being down 2 games to 1 I can't see them losing this game.
Books are offering anywhere between +120 and +126 right now on the visiting Dodgers, and I just can't pass up a + number on this match up.
I have no rooting interest in either team, don't really care who wins, I thought going in Dodgers would win in six at the most, and I'm surprised they're down in the series.
Sorry Crash Davis, I'm fading the streak,
I'm on LA Dodgers +123 200 to win 246
