Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros Free Pick

betdsiBaseball, MLB

The Los Angeles Angels will be taking on their division rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. ATTSN Southwest will be airing the matchup. The opening pitch will be at 8:10 p.m. ET.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Odds

Vegas is listing Houston (-205) as the favorite over Los Angeles (+187). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -110 for over 8.5 runs and -110 for under 8.5. You can also bet on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at Angels +1.5 runs (-115) and Astros -1.5 runs (-105).

The Astros are 82-52 straight up (SU) and 67-66 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 9.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.1 units (ATS). Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Angels have gone 65-69 SU this year and are 61-72 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 12.7 units for bettors 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.

Astros games have had an over/under record of 59-67-7 in 2018. The Angels have also been a decent under bet with a total record of 59-65-9.

The right-handed Jaime Barria is projected to start for Los Angeles. Barria is 8-8 with a 3.67 ERA and 77 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with eight strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA against Houston this year (two starts).

The Astros will turn to Framber Valdez (2-0, 0.96 ERA) to the mound. Valdez has seven strikeouts and four walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 0.86. Valdez is 1-0 with three strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA in one start against Los Angeles this year.

Houston’s pitchers have given up 3.3 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The club’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.20, a WHIP of 1.11 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.4. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 3.01, a WHIP of 1.05 and a K/9 of 10.7. In 67 games against AL West opponents, Astros starters have an ERA of 3.51 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.61.

The Houston hitters have put up 5.0 runs per contest, including 4.9 per game against divisional foes and 4.8 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .268/.351/.384 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.

Third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve have led the Astros’ batters this year. Bregman is slashing .292/.394/.531 with 25 home runs, 86 RBIs and 90 runs scored, while Altuve’s line is .329/.392/.466 with 10 homers, 51 RBIs, 69 runs and 15 stolen bases.

In the visiting dugout, Los Angeles’ pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.35 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 8.81 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.74, along with a WHIP of 1.32 and a K/9 of 8.55.

Angels hitters have slashed .247/.319/.418 on their way to 4.6 runs scored per game this year, including 5.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).

Los Angeles’ hitters have been led by shortstop Andrelton Simmons and outfielder Mike Trout, who collectively have belted 39 home runs. Simmons is slashing .297/.345/.419 with eight home runs, 63 RBIs and 57 runs scored, while Trout (.310/.460/.621) has produced 31 homers, 62 RBIs, 88 runs and 21 stolen bases.

The Astros have lost 2.5 units and are 42-40 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 35 of those games, compared to 42 that’ve gone under.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Free Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Angels, O/U – UNDER

Betting Notes,

  • Los Angeles has tallied nine extra-base hits over its last five contests. Houston has 11 XBH over its last five.
  • Los Angeles has recorded 20.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 18.6 over its last five.
  • The Angels have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 12 over their last 10.