The Los Angeles Angels are heading east to play their AL West foe Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. ATTSN Southwest is in line to broadcast the matchup. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Odds
Vegas has listed Los Angeles (+200) as the underdog to Houston (-220). Gamblers are able to wager on the game’s total with odds listed at -115 for over 8 runs and -105 for under 8. You can also bet on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at Angels +1.5 runs (-110) and Astros -1.5 runs (-110).
The Angels have gone 64-69 SU this year and are 61-72 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 12.7 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 20.4 units ATS. Los Angeles is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 82-51 SU and 67-65 ATS. The team has lost 10.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 4.1 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Houston games have an over/under record of 58-67-7 in 2018. Los Angeles has also been a decent under bet with a total record of 59-65-9.
Andrew Heaney is getting the nod for the visiting Angels. The left-handed Heaney is 7-8 with a 4.25 ERA and 138 strikeouts. He’s 2-1 with 19 strikeouts and a 3.15 ERA against Houston this year (three starts).
The Astros are sending righty Justin Verlander (13-8, 2.72 ERA) to the mound. Verlander has 229 punchouts and 31 walks to his credit, as well as a 0.94 WHIP. Verlander is 4-0 with 33 strikeouts and a 1.61 ERA across four starts against Los Angeles this year.
Los Angeles’ pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.39 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 8.81 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.73, along with a WHIP of 1.32 and a K/9 of 8.61.
Angels hitters have slashed .247/.319/.418 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Shortstop Andrelton Simmons and outfielder Mike Trout continue to lead Los Angeles’ hitters. Simmons is slashing .293/.341/.414 with eight home runs, 60 RBIs and 57 runs scored, while Trout has a .311 average with 31 homers, 62 RBIs, 87 runs and 21 steals.
In the home-team dugout, Houston’s pitchers have given up 3.3 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have a 3.19 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 3.01, a WHIP of 1.04 and a K/9 of 10.7. In 66 games against divisional opponents, Astros starters have an ERA of 3.49 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.63.
The Houston hitters have produced 5.0 runs per outing, including 5.0 per game against divisional foes and 6.0 per game over their last five. The team has hit .287/.378/.421 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve have led the Astros’ offense this year. Bregman is slashing .293/.395/.533 with 25 home runs, 86 RBIs and 89 runs scored, while Altuve’s line sits at .327/.391/.464 with 10 homers, 51 RBIs, 69 runs and 15 stolen bases.
The Angels have gained 0.5 units and are 45-47 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 43 of those games, compared to 44 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 7.2 units and are 25-26 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s cashed in 24 of those games, compared to 25 that went under the total.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Angels, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The over has cashed in four of Los Angeles’ last seven outings.
The Astros have won seven of their last eight games SU.
Houston has recorded 27.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 25.6 over its last five.
The Angels have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 16 over their last 10.
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