The Houston Astros (50-41) take on the Los Angeles Angels (45-46) in the opener of a 3-game set at Angel Stadium Friday. First pitch is at 9:38 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Astros lead 5-2
The Astros ended the first half with a 6-4 record and crawled within 2 games of the Texas Rangers for the AL West lead. They will be operating without OF Yordan Alvarez (oblique) and 2B Jose Altuve (oblique). Alvarez went on a rehab assignment and could be back next week, and Altuve shouldn’t be far behind.
The Angels limped to the All-Star break, losers of 9 of 10 games to fall 7 games back in the division and 5 games from a Wild Card spot. They’re operating without OF Mike Trout (hand), who is recovering from surgery to repair a broken hamate bone and won’t be back for 2-6 weeks. The Halos will need a quick start out of the break to get back in it and avoid potentially selling off major assets.
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Astros at Angels projected starters
RHP J.P. France vs. RHP Shohei Ohtani
France (4-3, 3.26 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 6.5 K/9 in 66 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K July 4 vs. Colorado Rockies
- 1 career start vs. Angels: No-decision, 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K June 4
Ohtani (7-4, 3.32 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 11.8 K/9 in 100 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 5 K against San Diego Padres July 4
- Last 5 starts vs. Astros: 2-2, 2.81 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 37 K in 32 IP
Astros at Angels odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:22 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Angels -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros +1.5 (-160) | Angels -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Astros at Angels picks and predictions
Prediction
Angels 3, Astros 2
Moneyline
Ohtani left his last start with a blister on his finger. These can be recurring, and it’ll be something to watch in his first start back. The Astros have gotten to Ohtani for 7 ER in 13 IP this season, but they’re missing 2 key cogs in the lineup. I don’t think they beat him 3 times in a season, but I’m also not confident enough in the Angels’ offense to put -160 on their ML.
I’ll go with SHOHEI OHTANI OVER 17.5 OUTS (-145). He has tossed 6 IP in 4 of his last 5 starts against Houston.
Run line/Against the spread
The Astros have been great on the RL away from home at 27-17. The Angels are just 17-26 on the RL at home. Houston is 7-3 in the last 10 against the Angels.
I’m willing to take the juice with the ASTROS +1.5 (-160) because this has to be a low-scoring game for the Angels to win.
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Over/Under
The Over is 4-5-1 in the last 10 between the teams. The Astros are 3-6-1 O/U over their last 10, and the Angels are 6-3-1.
If the Angels want to win this game, it has to be a low-scoring one. I think Ohtani can set that tone for a team that needs to come out of the gates firing.
Take the UNDER 8 (-110).
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