Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are preparing to take on their divisional rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in a Saturday showdown. The matchup can be viewed across the country on Fox and the opening pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros Odds
Sportsbooks have Houston (-195) as the favorite over Los Angeles (+182). If you’re thinking this game’s total is going to finish under 9 runs, then Vegas is teeing up -125 odds. Playing the over return +105 odds. There’s a runline of Angels +1.5 (-120) and Astros -1.5 (+100) for this matchup.
The Astros are 55-33 straight up (SU) and 46-41 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 3.7 units for moneyline bettors and 1.4 units ATS. The Angels are 45-44 SU and have gone 48-40 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 2.1 units for moneyline bettors, but have gained 8.6 units ATS.
Houston games have had an over/under record of 39-46-2 so far in 2019. The Angels have an over/under record of 40-41-7.
Andrew Heaney is getting the start for Los Angeles. The left-handed Heaney (1-2, 5.40 ERA) has racked up 44 strikeouts in 36.2 innings so far. He has yet to face Houston this year, but he made five starts against the Astros in 2018, posting a 3-2 record against them with a 4.03 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
The Astros are going with righty Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.28 ERA), who has 161 punchouts and 28 walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.04. Cole made four starts against the Angels in 2018, putting together a 2-1 record with a 3.65 ERA and 36 strikeouts.
Los Angeles’ pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game and its starters own a 5.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.54 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.45, along with a WHIP of 1.31 and a K/9 of 9.54.
Angels hitters have slashed .259/.338/.438 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Mike Trout and Tommy La Stella have paced Los Angeles’ hitters. Trout is slashing .299/.454/.633 with 26 home runs, 63 RBIs, 69 runs and eight steals, while La Stella is hitting .300 with 16 homers, 44 RBIs and 49 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Houston’s pitching staff has allowed 4.1 runs per game overall in 2019. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.84, a WHIP of 1.10 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.2. The bullpen has a 3.85 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.5 K/9. In 31 games against divisional opponents, Astros starters have an ERA of 3.86 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.40.
Houston’s hitters are putting up 5.0 runs per outing, including 5.9 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .260/.333/.451 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Astros’ offense has been led by left fielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel. Brantley is hitting .318/.378/.508 with 12 home runs, 46 RBIs and 45 runs scored, while Gurriel’s line is .275/.309/.466 with 12 homers, 45 RBIs and 44 runs.
The Angels have gained 7.3 units and are 34-23 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 28 of those games, as opposed to 24 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 9.7 units and are 15-10 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in nine of those games, as opposed to 15 which went under the total.
Angels at Astros Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Angels, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has cashed in three of Los Angeles’ last seven games.
- The Angels have won three of their last four games SU.
- Los Angeles fielders have nine errors over the last 10 games, compared to only four errors for Houston over its last 10.
- The Angels have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
- The Angels have a total OPS of .776 this season and an OPS of .784 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .814 overall and .787 versus righties.
