GAME PREVIEW
What to know as Astros prepare for showdown with Giants
Jun 10, 2024, 2:57 pm
GAME PREVIEW
Houston Astros (30-36, third in the AL West) vs. San Francisco Giants (32-34, third in the NL West)
San Francisco; Monday, 9:45 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Spencer Arrighetti (3-5, 5.79 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 55 strikeouts); Giants: Kyle Harrison (4-3, 4.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 65 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -120, Giants +100; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros take on the San Francisco Giants after Jose Altuve had four hits against the Angels on Sunday.
San Francisco is 17-14 in home games and 32-34 overall. The Giants have a 9-4 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.
Houston is 13-18 on the road and 30-36 overall. The Astros are 25-10 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.
The matchup Monday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.
TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Chapman has eight home runs, 25 walks and 28 RBI while hitting .240 for the Giants. Heliot Ramos is 14-for-36 with a double, four home runs and 11 RBI over the past 10 games.
Yordan Alvarez has 13 home runs, 28 walks and 33 RBI while hitting .292 for the Astros. Alex Bregman is 14-for-38 with two doubles, a triple, four home runs and seven RBI over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Giants: 3-7, .232 batting average, 4.96 ERA, outscored by 14 runs
Astros: 6-4, .265 batting average, 3.54 ERA, outscored opponents by 14 runs
INJURIES: Giants: Blake Snell: 15-Day IL (groin), Marco Luciano: 10-Day IL (undisclosed), LaMonte Wade Jr: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jung Hoo Lee: 60-Day IL (labrum), Tom Murphy: 60-Day IL (head), Nick Ahmed: 10-Day IL (wrist), Alex Cobb: 60-Day IL (hip), Ethan Small: 60-Day IL (oblique), Austin Warren: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tristan Beck: 60-Day IL (arm), Robbie Ray: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Astros: Alex Bregman: day-to-day (wrist), Kyle Tucker: 10-Day IL (shin), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (forearm), Spencer Arrighetti: day-to-day (calf), Cristian Javier: 15-Day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-Day IL (elbow)
The Houston Texans (4-1) will visit the struggling New England Patriots (1-4) this Sunday in a matchup that features teams trending in opposite directions. The Texans, led by rising star quarterback C.J. Stroud, are off to their best start since 2012, while the Patriots, mired in a four-game losing streak, turn to rookie QB Drake Maye for his first NFL start.
Texans Overview:
Houston’s offense has been solid, ranking 6th overall and boasting the NFL’s top passing attack. However, injuries loom large with wide receiver Nico Collins, the league’s leading receiver, placed on injured reserve. The Texans will rely more heavily on veteran Stefon Diggs, who has been a steady contributor, and hope for the return of RB Dameon Pierce. The defense, ranking 4th overall, will look to pressure the rookie quarterback, especially with its league-leading 42% pressure rate, per NextGen stats.
Patriots Overview:
New England’s offense has struggled mightily, ranking 31st overall and dead last in passing. The rookie Drake Maye will attempt to provide a spark after the Patriots’ offense has averaged just 11.5 points per game over their last four losses. However, a banged-up offensive line and key injuries on defense, including the loss of safety Jabrill Peppers, leave the Patriots vulnerable.
Key Matchup:
The Texans' pass rush versus New England’s offensive line will be pivotal. The Texans have terrorized quarterbacks all season, and with the Patriots using their fifth different O-line combination, Maye could be in for a rough debut.
Prediction:
The Texans' explosive passing game and relentless defense give them the upper hand, especially against a Patriots team facing instability on both sides of the ball. Houston is favored by 7 points, and unless New England's rookie QB performs beyond expectations, the Texans are well-positioned to continue their strong start to the season.
_________________
ChatGPT helped with this article.