Angels vs. Astros Picks & Odds: Houston Favored In Divisional Battle

The Houston Astros (48-27) will play host to the Los Angeles Angels (37-41) in a three-game set this weekend. Houston leads the season series 4-3, although Los Angeles has won the last two head-to-head meetings by a combined score of 13-2. See below for an Angels vs. Astros prediction, as well as more insight and analysis.  

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Angels vs. Astros Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

Early money is being laid on the Astros as their odds continue to increase after Sportsbook at -145. Houston is 13-6 SU in their last 19 meetings with the Angels. The consensus total has also changed and now sits at 8. The UNDER is 13-4 in Los Angeles’ last 17 games.  

Starting Pitchers

Michael Lorenzen gets the ball for the Angels. He is 6-5 this season with an E.R.A. of 4.24 and has been roughed up in each of his last two starts. Lorenzen also struggled in a loss to Houston back in April, allowing four earned runs in just 3.1 innings pitched. 
 
His counterpart will be Cristian Javier, who sports a 5-3 record with an E.R.A. of 2.73. He is coming off his most impressive start of the season in which he didn't allow a single hit in seven scoreless innings against the Yankees. He also fanned 13 batters that game. Javier has pitched 5.1 shutout innings in 2 relief appearances vs. the Angels this season. 
 
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Angels In Search Of More Offense 

Despite the fact, they have won three of their last four games, the Angels are having trouble scoring runs. They have scored four or less runs in six straight contests. And while they are in the bottom third of the league in hitting (.238 team batting average), they can hurt you with the long ball.  They have gone deep 96 times, 23 of those coming off the bat of Mike Trout. 

But it’s their other star that is swinging a hot bat these days. Shohei Ohtani is hitting .400 in his last eight games with four homeruns and a dozen RBI. He has also drawn 9 walks during that stretch. You can bet Ohtani at +300 to win the American League MVP award. Those are the second best odds behind, you guessed it, Aaron Judge. 

Houston, We Have No Problems

The Astros are rolling, having won eight of their last 10 games. They are getting it done with strong pitching, as they have allowed one run or less in five of their last six contests. They have surrendered just 249 runs all season and have a team E.R.A. of 2.96, the second lowest in baseball. To put that in perspective, the Washington Nationals have allowed 424 runs. 
 
And they will need to depend on pitching with their most explosive hitter injured. Yordan Alvarez, who leads the team in every major offensive category will likely miss the entire series after colliding with a teammate earlier this week. He is being evaluated for a concussion. 

Angels vs. Astros Pick Insight

Angels: Keys to Victory

Try not to give away any free outs. The Angels strike out more than any team in baseball. They have gone down on strikes 735 times, that’s 176 more than the Astros. If they can put the ball in play and give Trout and Ohtani opportunities with runners on base, then they could make it three wins in a row against Houston.  

Astros: Keys to Victory

Keep Trout and Ohtani in check. Astros pitchers have faced a team from New York in nine straight games and have done a masterful job of silencing some of baseball’s best hitters. If they can do the same against the Angels dynamic duo, then taking the home team could be the smart play when making your Angels vs. Astros pick.   

Odds Shark’s Computer Angels vs. Astros Prediction: Astros -158

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