The Los Angeles Angels (58-59) face the Houston Astros (67-50) in the 2nd game of their 3-game series Saturday. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is at 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). 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 8-3
The Angels dropped the series opener 11-3 on Friday, snapping a small 2-game win streak. They have lost 8 of their last 10 games. They sit in 4th place in the AL West, trailing the division-leading Texas Rangers by 11½ games and the final AL Wild Card by 6½.
The Astros have won 4 of their last 5 games and 8 of their last 11 overall. They have a 2½-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2nd AL Wild Card spot and trail the Rangers for the AL West lead by 2½ games.
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Angels at Astros projected starters
LHP Tyler Anderson vs. RHP J.P. France
Anderson (5-3, 4.92 ERA) makes his 20th start and 21st appearance. He has a 1.51 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 in 104 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 3-2 home loss vs. Seattle Mariners last Saturday
- Has allowed 2 or fewer runs in 4 of his last 6 starts
- 2023 road stats: 2-2, 5.01 ERA (59 1/3 IP, 33 ER) in 10 starts and 1 relief appearance
- Career vs. Astros: 0-1, 6.37 ERA (29 2/3 IP, 21 ER) in 6 starts
- 2023 vs. Astros: 0-0, 3.00 ERA (3 IP, 1 ER), 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 1 start, a 9-8 home loss July 16
France (8-3, 2.75 ERA) makes his 16th start and 17th appearance. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 in 95 innings.
- Last outing: Win, 3 1/3 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, 4 K in relief in 9-7 win at New York Yankees Sunday
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 6 K in 7-3 home victory vs. Cleveland Guardians July 31
- Astros are 6-0 in his last 6 starts
- 2023 home stats: 3-1, 3.74 ERA (43 1/3 IP, 18 ER) in 7 starts
- Career vs. Angels: 0-0, 2.38 ERA (11 1/3 IP, 3 ER) in 2 starts – Most recent: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 9 H, 0 BB, 2 K in 7-5 road victory July 14
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 12:08 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Angels +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Astros -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Angels +1.5 (-135) | Astros -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Angels at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 7, Angels 4
Moneyline
The Astros have dominated the season series, winning 8 of 11. They are 8-3 in their last 11 games.
The Angels are 2-8 in their last 10 games and 27-31 on the road overall.
The Astros have won France’s last 6 starts and last 7 appearances.
Betting the Astros on the moneyline is not bad, but it is getting close to being not worth it.
Houston’s recent play suggests the spread is a better play.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
The Astros have won 6 of France’s last 7 appearances by 2 or more runs. Seven of their last 9 wins overall have also been by multiple runs.
Six of their 8 wins over the Angels have been by 2 or more runs.
Nine of the Angels’ last 11 losses have been by multiple runs.
BET ASTROS -1.5 (+110).
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Over/Under
The last 4 games between the 2 teams — and 5 of the last 6 — have had 10 or more total runs.
Five of the Astros’ last 7 games overall have hit double digits in runs.
BET OVER 9.5 (-110).
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