Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Betting Preview

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The Los Angeles Angels will face their AL West foe Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The game gets underway 7:10 p.m. ET and ATTSN Southwest will be showing the matchup.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Odds

Houston (-280) is hosting this one as the favorite over Los Angeles (+240) and Vegas has the Over/Under for this one at 7.5 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). You can also bet on the game’s runline with the most recent odds standing at +115 for the Angels +1.5 runs and -135 for the Astros -1.5.

The Astros are 96-57 straight up (SU) and 77-75 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 7.3 units for moneyline bettors and 5.8 units (ATS). The Angels are 75-79 SU and have gone 70-83 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 9.5 units for moneyline gamblers and 24.1 units ATS.

Houston games have an over/under record of 68-77-7 in 2018. The Angels have also been a decent under bet with a total record of 68-76-9.

Right-hander Jaime Barria is getting the start for the visiting Angels. Barria is 10-9 with a 3.61 ERA and 91 strikeouts. He’s 1-1 with 12 strikeouts and a 2.81 ERA against Houston this year (three starts).

The Astros will turn to righty Justin Verlander (16-9, 2.67 ERA), who has 269 strikeouts and 36 walks to his credit as well as a 0.93 WHIP. Verlander is 4-1 with 44 strikeouts and a 2.16 ERA across five starts against Los Angeles this year.

As a unit, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.3 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starters have an ERA of 3.19, a WHIP of 1.12 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.4. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 3.05, a WHIP of 1.07 and a K/9 of 10.7. In 74 games against divisional foes, Astros starters have an ERA of 3.49 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.61.

The Houston offense is putting up 5.0 runs per contest, including 4.9 per game against divisional foes and 4.8 per game over its last five. The team has hit .241/.314/.380 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.

The Astros’ batters have been led by third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve. Bregman is hitting .289/.396/.539 with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs and 102 runs scored, while Altuve’s line sits at .314/.384/.450 with 12 homers, 58 RBIs, 80 runs and 17 steals.

In the visiting dugout, Los Angeles’ pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.36 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.75 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.89, along with a WHIP of 1.31 and a K/9 of 8.48.

Angels hitters have slashed .244/.316/.414 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game this year, including 4.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).

Los Angeles’ offensive production has been sparked by shortstop Andrelton Simmons and right fielder Mike Trout, who collectively have belted 48 home runs. Simmons is slashing .296/.340/.424 with 11 home runs, 73 RBIs and 66 runs scored, while Trout (.316/.461/.633) has produced 37 homers, 74 RBIs, 97 runs and 24 stolen bases.

The Angels have gained 3.6 units and are 50-54 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 51 of those games, compared to 48 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 1.8 units and are 50-44 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 42 of those games, compared to 47 that went under.

Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros MLB Tip

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

Betting Trends,

  • The over has hit in five of Los Angeles’ last seven outings.
  • Houston has posted 20.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 20.0 over its last five.
  • The Angels have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit nine over their last 10.