HOUSTON ASTROS -110 - For whatever reason, the Phils' Padilla is in the worst slump of his young career, and I don't think that he will suddenly get well vs. the hard-hitting Astros at Houston. Padilla is 0-3 in his last 3 starts with an awful 10.13 ERA and an equally bad 1.88 ratio. Over those outings, he has as many walks (9) as he does strikeouts, and he has lasted just 3 innings and 4.1 innings in his last 2 starts respectively. If this wasn't bad enough, he is also 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in 2 starts vs. Houston. Granted, Robertson has been just as bad for the Astros, going 1-3 with an 8.49 ERA. However, he is left-handed, which neutralizes Thome and Abreu somewhat. In fact, Philadelphia is batting just .233 vs. left-handed pitching on the road this year, averaging a miniscule 2.28 runs per 9 innings vs. southpaws. In contrast, the Astros are hitting .287 vs. right-handers at home, averaging 5.85 runs per game.
