The Angels are off to their typical slow start despite having a talented team. They went 9-16 last April and are off to a nice 0-3 start, but we are still catching value fading them and this scenario warrants it yet again as the Angels throw an arm up there in Garret Richards who has plenty of mustard on his fastball, but has the inability to control games and is 2-8 in his last 10 road starts while he has a 4.70 ERA overall on the road. This is not a spot to back the Angels as favorites as Richards gave up 9 ER in just over 12 innings pitched in his two starts vs. the Astros. Both of those were at home where Richards is a better pitcher. The Astros will send 6 lefties out there to face Richards which shapes up well because Richards really really struggles vs. LHB.
For the Astros they will throw out Lucas Harrell hoping his control issues are better and he returns to his 2012 form rather than 2013. Even though he struggled in 2013 he had some quality starts at home and has a 3.82 ERA over the last 3 years at home. He struggled in 2013, but despite all of that he posted a 1.53 ERA in 3 starts vs. the Angels. He did not always go deep into games, but he can hand it off to a bullpen that's pitching well after facing the Yankees.. Much better than the Angels who are last in the league with a 10.80 ERA out of their bullpen.
