The Houston Astros walked it off against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep, and that wasn’t even the biggest story from the game.
Led by starter Framber Valdez’s career-high 13 strikeouts, the Astros tallied 20 strikeouts in nine innings to tie the MLB record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game. It breaks their previous franchise record of 18 set in 1964. But this is more about the Angels than the Astros.
LA entered the series with the highest strikeout percentage in the majors. They greatly added to that in Houston, striking out 48 times in three games. That’s the most all-time in a three-game series without extra innings, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale.
The #Astros set #MLB record with 48 strikeouts in 3-game series vs. #Angels without extra-innings.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 3, 2022
The @astros pitching was DOMINANT today 🔥
Framber Valdez threw a career-high 13 Ks, which contributed to an MLB record-tying 20 strikeouts in today's 9 innings. pic.twitter.com/lyqmdNEdHU
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 3, 2022
At this rate, bettors should be absolutely hammering the over on strikeouts for opposing starting pitchers against the Angels. Astros starters all hit their overs in the series, with Christian Javier racking up 14 in the first game and Jose Uriquidy throwing for eight in the second game.
The Angels’ struggles aren’t isolated between a few players either. It’s everybody, including three-time MVP Mike Trout, who went 0-for-11 with nine strikeouts in the series. All 12 Angels who made plate appearances Sunday had a strikeout, and seven had multiple strikeouts.
There could be more where those came from very soon. Up next for the Angels are the Miami Marlins and ace Sandy Alcantara on Tuesday.
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