The Los Angeles Angels will be taking on their divisional rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. ATTSN Southwest will televise the matchup. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Los Angeles (+130) as the underdog to Houston (-140). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at even money (+100) for over 8.5 runs and -120 for under 8.5. You can also bet on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds standing at -170 for the Angels +1.5 runs and +150 for the Astros -1.5.
The Angels are 15-8 SU and are 11-11 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 4.7 units for moneyline gamblers in this young season and 1.1 units ATS. Los Angeles has covered the spread just once over its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 16-8 SU and 13-10 ATS. They’ve gained 1.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.1 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Astros games have a 9-13-1 over/under record so far in 2018. Los Angeles has an over/under record of 13-9.
The right-handed Shohei Ohtani is projected to start for Los Angeles. Ohtani is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 19 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Astros this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Astros are handing the ball to righty Charlie Morton (3-0, 0.72 ERA), who has 33 strikeouts and six walks, as well as a 0.88 WHIP. Morton made three starts against the team in 2017, putting together a spotless 2-0 record in 2017, posting a spotless 2-0 record with a 2.12 ERA and 13 strikeouts.
Los Angeles’ pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.80 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 9.11 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.10, along with a WHIP of 1.36 and a K-per-9 of 8.94.
The Angels offense has slashed .256/.320/.425 on its way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 6.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani have led Los Angeles’ hitters. Trout is slashing .307/.410/.670 with nine home runs, 17 RBIs, 19 runs and five steals, while Ohtani (.333/.378/.619) is up to three homers, 11 RBIs and five runs scored.
For the home team, Houston’s pitching staff has given up 2.5 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 2.12, a WHIP of 1.03 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 11.1. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.42, a WHIP of 1.06 and a K/9 of 9.5. In 12 games against AL West foes, Astros starters have an ERA of 1.77 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.39.
Houston’s hitters have put up 4.8 runs per outing, including 4.3 per game against divisional foes and 7.2 per game over their last five. The team has hit .303/.389/.489 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Astros’ offense has been led by shortstop Carlos Correa and left fielder Josh Reddick. Correa is hitting .346/.402/.580 with four home runs, 19 RBIs and 17 runs scored, while Reddick’s line is .246/.364/.538 with six homers, 15 RBIs and 14 runs scored.
Reddick appeared to enjoy facing right-handed pitching at home last year. Across 209 such plate appearances, he slashed .364/.397/.561 (compared to his total season line of .314/.363/.484).
The Angels have gained 3.4 units and are 9-7 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 10 of those games, as opposed to six that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 0.8 units and are 8-7 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in five of those games, compared to nine that went under.
Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Angels, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Los Angeles fielders have committed three errors over their last five games, compared to zero errors for Houston over its last five.
- The Angels have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 10 over their last 10.
