The Los Angeles Angels (30-30) wrap up a 4-game series with the Houston Astros (35-23) Sunday. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is at 2:10 ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Angels vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Astros lead 5-1
Houston came out swinging Saturday as they secured a 9-6 victory. The Astros took a 7-1 lead by the 4th inning and hung on despite a late rally from the Angels that saw them plate 4 runs in the 7th frame.
The Astros were below .500 and were riding a 3-game losing streak after losing the season-series opener to the Angels on May 8. Houston seemingly became a different team after that loss, going 18-5 in the 23 games that followed — including 5 victories over L.A.
Houston trails the AL West-leading Texas Rangers by just 2 1/2 games following its surge, while Los Angeles has slipped 8 1/2 games behind the division leaders. L.A. needs to show it can compete with teams like Houston if it has any chance of reaching postseason play.
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Angels at Astros projected starters
RHP Griffin Canning vs. RHP J.P. France
Canning (4-2, 4.89 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 in 42 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 0 B, 9 K in a 6-4 road victory over the Chicago White Sox Monday
- Allows a 1.300 OPS on a full count in 2023
France (1-1, 4.00 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 27 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 8 K in a 7-5 loss vs. the Minnesota Twins Monday
- 1.094 OPS versus right-handed batters compared to a 0.422 OPS against lefties
Angels at Astros odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:56 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Angels +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Astros -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Angels +1.5 (-155) | Astros -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Angels at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Angels 4, Astros 2
Moneyline
Despite their lackluster record, the Angels are 16-13 after a loss and have only been swept once this season. I expect them to at least leave Houston on a positive note.
LEAN ANGELS (+125).
Run line/Against the spread
The Angels are 13-9 ATS this season as road underdogs, so this is a good safety net if you are understandably hesitant to take L.A. on the moneyline. The odds are not ideal, but if you’d prefer a run of insurance it’s reasonable to BET ANGELS +1.5 (-155).
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Over/Under
I actually lean Under despite a lot of trends pointing to another high-scoring game. However, the Under is 6-2 in the Angels’ last 8 games when facing a winning team and the Astros have gone Over in just 4 of last their 15 game 4s.
LEAN UNDER 9 (-110).
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