Weekend Watch

Houston, No Problems

The Houston Astros continue their series on the road against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Saturday, and RHP Justin Verlander will be opposed by RHP Jaime Barria. The Astros have been money when Verlander is on the bump, going 14-3 over his past 17 road outings, and 13-4 across the past 17 starts inside the division. In addition, Houston has really made a living picking on the dregs of the league, going 39-17 across their past 56 against teams with a losing overall record. They're also 18-5 over the past 23 road games against teams with a losing overall mark. Verlander seems to lose focus against losing sides, however, as Houston is 1-5 over his past six against teams with a losing overall record. The Astros are also 1-6 in the past seven against right-handed starting pitchers.

While those final two trends might give bettors some pause, the Halos have been a train wreck. The Angels have been dumped in four straight, including 9-3 in Friday's game in Anaheim. They are also 0-4 in their past four tries vs. RHP, and 1-4 in Barria's past five outings against divisional foes. They're 2-5 in the past seven overall against winning teams, too. Anaheim hasn't had a lot of success against the cream of the crop, either, winning just 16 of their past 51 contests against teams with a winning percentage of .600 or better. They're 1-6 in the past seven inside the division, while going 0-5 in their past five tries against the Astros when Verlander is on the bump.

As far as the total is concerned, the under is 5-2-1 in the past eight meetings overall, and 5-2-1 in the past eight meetings in Anaheim, too. The under has cashed in five straight starts by Verlander against the Halos. The under is 10-2-2 in the past 14 road games against a right-handed starting pitcher, but the over is 6-1 in Verlander's past seven against AL West clubs. The over is 4-1-1 in Houston's past six overall, too, including Friday's battle. The under is 7-3 in Barria's past 10 starts, and 5-2-1 in his past eight inside the division. However, the over is 5-1 in the past six home games vs. RHP.

Looking Ahead

Saturday, Aug. 25

It's a battle of southpaws Saturday afternoon at AT&T Park, as Rangers LHP Martin Perez and Giants LHP Andrew Suarez go toe-to-toe. San Francisco will be looking to avenge a loss on Friday, as Texas rallied for a late victory. Texas has posted a 5-1 record in their past six interleague road battles against left-handed starters, and they're 7-3 in their past 10 against NL West foes. In addition, they're 5-1 in Martin Perez's past six interleague starts and 5-0 in his past five against NL West clubs. While that's a pretty solid track record, Texas is just 1-7 over Perez's past eight outings overall, and 1-4 in his past five on the road. They're also a dismal 3-10 in his past 13 outings on the road against a team with a losing mark. The Giants haven't been much better lately, winning just three of their past 13 home games, two of their past nine overall and none of their past four at home against LHP. And they're 1-5 in Suarez's past six starts against losing sides. The under is 7-2-1 in the past 10 meetings between these sides, although the over hit on Friday.

The Indians rallied to take the lead late in Friday's game against the Royals, but the bullpen coughed up the win with a pair of homers allowed in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Cleveland bullpen was leakier than the fountains in right field at Kauffman Stadium. Cleveland is an overwhelming favorite in Saturday's game against Kansas City, and there is good reason. The Indians are 24-5 in Corey Kluber's past 29 starts against AL Central opponents, and 12-1 in his past 13 on the road against losing teams. They're also 23-8 in Klubot's past 31 overall on the road. The Royals are 1-6 in Heath Fillmyer's past seven outings. Friday's victory against a quality team was a rarity, too, as they're still just 5-24 in their past 29 at home against teams with a winning overall mark. They have also won just 12 of their past 60 against winning teams.

Weather Report

The weather looks outstanding on Saturday, and there are no problems spots as far as precipitation is concerned. In Detroit, the White Sox are Tigers will be battling winds from 10-13 mph blowing left to right. That's the only trouble spot as far as wind, too.

Sunday, Aug. 26

The Cardinals and Rockies cap off their series with a lefty-lefty matchup. St. Louis has torn it up against lefties lately, going 10-1 in their past 11 vs. LHP. They're also 5-2 in the past seven on the road against southpaws. They have been red hot with LHP Austin Gomber on the hill, too, going 5-0 in his past five overall, and 4-0 in his past four on the road. The Rox have been hot, too, winning 13 of their past 16 against southpaws, including 6-1 in their past seven at home vs. LHP. Colorado has been ice cold when LHP Tyler Anderson is on the hill, however, winning just two of his past 11 at home while dropping each of his past six starts overall.

It's also a southpaw battle at Chavez Ravine, as Padres LHP Robbie Erlin and Dodgers LHP Alex Wood go head-to-head. Erlin hasn't found a lot of success lately, and the Padres are 4-9 over his past 13 starts. They're also just 3-9 in his past 12 outings inside the division, and 1-4 in his past five against winning sides. San Diego is also just 6-21 in their past 27 against left-handed starting pitchers. For L.A., they're 10-3 in Wood's past 13 at home against teams with a losing record, and 17-7 overall in his past 24 against clubs with an overall losing mark. However, they have won just twice in the past seven starts by the lefty, and they're 0-4 in Wood's past four at Dodger Stadium. The under is 4-0 in Wood's past four starts, but the over is 5-2-1 in his past eight inside the division and a perfect 5-0 in his past five against the Padres.

The Yankees turn to ace RHP Luis Severino to try and cap off a winning series against the Orioles. Baltimore counters with RHP Dylan Bundy. The Yankees have posted a 15-3 record over Severino's past 18 outings against teams with a losing overall mark, and they're 11-3 in his past 14 games against AL East foes. They're also 8-3 in the past 11 road outings by Severino, and 38-15 in his past 53 starts overall. On the flip side, the O's are 0-4 in Bundy's past four starts, and they're just 3-15 in his past 18 inside the division. In addition, Baltimore is just 3-11 in Bundy's past 14 tries against teams with a winning overall record. Total bettors might want to hammer the 'over'. The over is 5-0 in Severino's past five against the O's, and 12-3-1 in the past 16 battles at Camden Yards. The over is 27-4-1 in the past 32 meetings overall in this series.