The Houston Astros (84-47) and Los Angeles Angels (57-74) open a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Angel Stadium will be at 9:38 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Astros vs. Angels odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Astros lead 9-4 and have won 5 of the last 6 meetings
The Astros have won 3 games in a row, sweeping the Texas Rangers in their brief 2-game series after beating the Baltimore Orioles in the last game of their 3-game set last weekend. It hasn’t been the offense carrying this team as they’ve scored more than 5 runs only once in their last 11 contests. The pitching staff has shut down opponents, allowing no more than 4 runs in any game along that span.
The Angels come into this series hot, too. They’ve won 5 of their last 6 games, sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays and taking 2 of 3 from the New York Yankees. They only rank 25th in runs scored (500) this season but their pitching staff has been strong, allowing only 3.79 runs per game to rank 9th in the majors.
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Astros at Angels projected starters
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. vs. LHP Reid Detmers
McCullers (1-1, 1.69 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 1.44 WHIP, 5.6 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 through 16 IP.
- Made his season debut on Aug. 13 and has looked sharp since; has two outings where he allowed 0 runs and one where he allowed 3 runs in 5 innings
- Pitched 4-scoreless innings and allowed just 4 hits in a 2-0 loss to the Orioles last Friday in his last start
Detmers (5-4, 3.47 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.16 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 through 103 2/3 IP.
- Has won 2 of his last 3 decisions, beating the Blue Jays last Friday and Seattle Mariners Aug. 6
- Allowed 2 or fewer earned runs in 7 of his last 8 starts dating back to the start of July
Astros at Angels odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:35 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Astros -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Angels +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+105) | Angels +1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Astros at Angels picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, Angels 3
Money line
The Astros are clearly the better team here, and they have a better pitcher on the mound, too. It’s somewhat surprising they’re only -155 on the money line, but perhaps that’s because of the Angels’ recent hot stretch and Houston’s cold bats.
Still, I like the ASTROS (-155) to win outright. The spread also offers good value, though.
Run line/Against the spread
The Astros won each of their last 2 games by 2 runs, but the Angels have been great against the spread lately; they’ve covered in 5 of their last 6 games.
With McCullers on the mound, the Astros should be able to cover against the Angels, provided their offense wakes up. Bet the ASTROS -1.5 (+105).
Over/Under
In the Astros’ last 10 games, the total has only gone Over 4 times. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 for Houston, and 2-1 in the last 3 for Los Angeles.
If McCullers keeps pitching the way he has since returning from injury, and Detmers has good command, this shouldn’t be a very high-scoring game. I like the UNDER 8.5 (-108).
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