Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Houston Astros (57-29) and Los Angeles Angels (38-50) play the second contest of a 3-game set Wednesday at Angel Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 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 series 8-3

The Astros picked up the narrow 6-5 victory in the series opener Tuesday, as Houston continues to dominate the season series against its AL West rivals.

The Angels are in a tailspin, going just 1-5 in their last 7 against divisional opponents, while going just 6-16 in the previous 22 games at home.

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Astros at Angels projected starters

RHP Cristian Javier vs. RHP Shohei Ohtani

Javier (6-4, 3.01 ERA) makes his 13th start and 17th overall appearance. He has a 0.99 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 12.3 K/9 through 74 2/3 IP.

  • Is 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA with a .207 opponent batting average with 41 K in 30 1/3 IP across 5 starts and 2 bullpen appearances on the road.
  • Has managed a 1-0 record, 0.73 ERA and .146 OBA with 21 K in 12 1/3 IP across 1 start and 2 relief appearances vs. LAA in 2022.

Ohtani (8-4, 2.44 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 0.99 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 12.3 K/9 through 81 IP.

  • Has posted a 4-2 record, 2.13 ERA and .184 OBA with 58 K across 42 1/3 IP in 7 home starts.
  • Is 1-1 with a 0.84 ERA and .135 OBA with 21 K across 10 2/3 IP in 2 starts vs. HOU this season.

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 6:30 a.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Astros +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Angels -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros +1.5 (-210) | Angels -1.5 (+170)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)

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Astros at Angels picks and predictions

Prediction

Angels 3, Astros 2

Money line

The ANGELS (-130) are a decent play behind the two-way star Ohtani, especially working at home.

The Halos are a bit of a risky play considering the fact they’re 1-6 in the past seven games against AL West opponents. However, it’s all about Ohtani when he is on the bump. The Angels have struggled overall, but they have won 5 straight starts when Ohtani toes the slab.

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Run line/Against the spread

The Astros +1.5 (-210) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return, and that’s expensive if you want some insurance. Just play Houston straight up if you like them, although I certainly do not with Ohtani on the bump.

AVOID.

Over/Under

The UNDER 7.5 (-125) is a strong play with Javier and Ohtani on the hill. Both of these pitchers put up a lot of donuts.

We saw the Over hit in Tuesday’s game, as the Angels blew a 4-run lead in the bottom of the 7th inning. Runs will be at more of a premium in this one.

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Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Houston Astros (91-61) look for the sweep in their four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels (72-80) when the clubs meet Thursday. First pitch from Angel Stadium is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Astros vs. Angels odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Astros RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (12-4, 3.11 ERA) makes his 27th start this season. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9 and 10.5 K/9 through 150 1/3 IP.

  • Is 2-1 with a 2.10 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 over 25 2/3 IP through four starts against the Angels in 2021.
  • Owns a 2.53 ERA and 11.8 K/9 through 64 IP across 11 starts on the road this year.

Angels RHP Alex Cobb (8-3, 3.59 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 through 82 2/3 IP.

  • Making his second start since returning from the injured list after missing all of August and half of September. Pitched 5 scoreless innings on the road against the Chicago White Sox in his return Sept. 16.
  • Allowed just 3 home runs on the season, although that number is likely a bit suppressed by a 6.3% HR/FB rate.

Astros at Angels odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Astros -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Angels +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Astros -1.5 (-103) | Angels +1.5 (-117)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Prediction

Houston 6, Los Angeles 2

Money line (ML)

Los Angeles is going to have its work cut out for it to end its six-game skid Thursday. The Astros have taken the first three games of the series by a combined score of 29-10 and seem to be in a fine position to secure the series sweep.

Houston is an elite-hitting club. The Astros are second in wRC+, third in wOBA and fourth in OPS in September. For the season, they are first in wRC+ and wOBA, while ranking third in OPS against right-handed pitching on the season. The Angels grade out as below-average against righties and are dead last in those categories in September.

BET the ASTROS (-175) to close out this four-game set.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

While Cobb has had a bit of a resurgent season, at least compared to his Baltimore years, he is not beyond giving up a few runs in the right scenario. One of his shortest starts of the season came April 22 at Houston when he allowed 4 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 walks over just 2 2/3 innings.

While neither bullpen has been exceptional in September, the Angels relievers have had an exceedingly difficult month. Los Angeles is 25th in K-BB%, 26th in SIERA and 27th in xFIP.

Anticipating that McCullers extends deeper into the game than Cobb only further exacerbates the situation for the Angels pitching staff.

BACK HOUSTON -1.5 (-103).

Over/Under (O/U)

I’m inclined to believe that this game stays Under, but with the Astros producing 9, 10 and 10 runs in the first three games of the series I simply can’t bring myself to actually come down on that side of things.

The Angels may not need to do much damage to push things over the number Thursday even if Cobb limits the Astros production comparatively to the first three games of the series.

Moreover, two bullpens that are struggling in September don’t inspire confidence that there may not be late runs scored.

I’m going to PASS on the total and avoid the situation altogether.

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Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Monday’s Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Houston Astros (4-0) meet the Los Angeles Angels (3-1) Monday for a mini two-game series at Angel Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Astros vs. Angels odds with MLB picks and predictions.

The Astros completed a four-game sweep of the 2020 AL West champion Oakland Athletics with a 9-2 win Sunday. Houston outscored Oakland 35-9 in the four games this past weekend.

Los Angeles won back-to-back games and three out of four against the Chicago White Sox, including a 7-4 win Sunday after a 3-run walk-off home run in the ninth by 1B Jared Walsh—his second home run of the game.

RHP Luis Garcia will making his second career start for the Astros. He earned a no-decision in 5 IP with 0 ER, 1 H, 4 K and 2 BB in his first start last season against the Athletics.

The 24-year-old righty is 0-1 with a 2.92 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 9 K over 12 1/3 IP spanning 5 career appearances with 1 start.

LHP José Quintana makes his Angels debut Monday. He played for both Chicago teams over his first nine seasons.

Quintana pitched for the White Sox from 2012-2017 then was traded in-city to the Cubs where he played from 2017-20.

He had only our appearances with a lone start for the Cubs last season and finished 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA, 5 ER, 10 H, 12 K, 3 BB in 10 IP.

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Astros at Angels odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 2:30 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Astros -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Angels -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Astros -1.5 (+145) | Angels +1.5 (-175)
  • Over/Under: 10 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Prediction

Angels 6, Astros 2

Money line (ML)

The Astros were 12-10 vs. lefty starters compared to 17-21 against righties in 2020 and they beat two Athletics lefty starters this past weekend.

That’s the reason why there is value on the ANGELS (-115) in this game. Houston’s win-loss record last season against lefties is a bit flukey considering the lineup was bottom-10 in wRC+, wOBA and OPS vs. lefties in 2020.

Also, Los Angeles won six of its last seven games against a right-handed starter. BET ANGELS (-115) for 1 unit.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS on the run line but “LEAN” toward using Angels +1.5 (-175) in a parlay with another similarly priced favorite or run line.

Over/Under (O/U)

“LEAN” toward UNDER 10 (-115) for a quarter-unit if at all because the market is barrelling into the Over, steaming it up from the 8.5-run opener. I’d definitely prefer to “fade” the market rather than follow it.

Most of this action is due to Quintana looking terrible in his 10 innings pitched last year and the Over cashing in nine straight Astros-Angels meetings.

Quintana should be motivated by the change of scenery and he looked good in Spring Training where he went 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA (14 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 15 K, 8 BB) across 5 starts.

That being said, the Angels’ money line is my favorite play in this game.

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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