Astros vs Angels

Astros vs Angels – MLB Odds & Picks

Written by on July 31, 2020

The Houston Astros were just swept at home by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 2017 World Series rematch and look to avoid a rare three-game skid Friday when they open an AL West series at the Angels. Houston is a solid favorite when it comes down to baseball betting odds.

Astros vs Angels – MLB Odds & Picks

How to Bet Astros at Angels MLB Odds & TV Info Why Bet on Houston?

Houston is off losing back-to-back home games to the Dodgers in a 2017 World Series rematch this week. On Tuesday, the Astros were home betting underdogs for the first time since May 29, 2019 vs. the Chicago Cubs. There was nearly a brawl in Tuesday’s game vs. L.A. thanks to Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly, who was suspended eight games.

The Dodgers pitching completely shutdown that Houston lineup as the Astros scored just two runs in each game. One guy who is hitting is Carlos Correa. The former AL Rookie of the Year went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Wednesday’s extra-inning loss. In the first six games of the season, Correa is hitting a robust .409/.500/.636 with a homer and five RBI.

Reliever Chris Devenski was unavailable again Wednesday but might be ready here. Devenski hasn’t pitched since his rough appearance Sunday against the Mariners because of soreness in his right elbow. In addition, closer Ryan Pressly has yet to make appearance this season because of a lingering right elbow issue, and it’s starting to look like this may lead to an injured list stint. The Astros are currently rostering eight rookies in their bullpen and all nine of the Astros rookie pitchers have appeared in at least one game this season.

Outfielder George Springer missed Wednesday’s game with a sore knee suffered from a play against the outfield wall during the Astros’ first regular-season series against the Mariners. Springer is day-to-day.

It’s right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 3.00) on the mound here. McCullers went six innings and allowed two runs with six strikeouts in a 7-2 victory over the Mariners last Saturday. McCullers struggled with his command to start; walking three hitters in his first two frames. From that point on, the right-hander didn’t allow another free pass, and outside of a solo homer to Kyle Lewis, there wasn’t much hard contact. It was his first start since 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

McCullers generated just one swing and miss during his first trip through Seattle’s order, but he got 10 from the final 16 hitters he faced.

“That’s what you learn pitching again,” McCullers said. “I haven’t made a start in damn near two years in the big leagues. I wasn’t as sharp as I think I will be going forward, but for my first start back, it wasn’t that bad.”

Why Bet on LA Angels?

Albert Pujols is the all-time leader in career home runs (59) and RBI (167) against Houston. Last season, the Astros captured the season series by a 14-5 margin, marking their fifth straight season series win.

Justin Upton joined a fairly exclusive club Wednesday with his second homer of the season as it was the 300th of his career. It came in the sixth inning off of Bryan Shaw. Upton is the ninth active player with 300 career homers: (A. Pujols, M. Cabrera, E. Encarnacion, N. Cruz, R. Braun, R. Cano, J. Bruce & G. Stanton).

The Halos placed top shortstop Andrelton Simmons on the injured list Tuesday with a left ankle sprain and could be gone for an extended period. Simmons doesn’t hit much but is a defensive genius. David Fletcher is expected to see the majority of starts at shortstop for the Simmons is sidelined. Fletcher is off to a hot start at the plate.

As for who starts this game on the mound, that’s TBA as the Angels’ rotation is a mess. The team optioned Patrick Sandoval to their alternate training site on Wednesday even though Sandoval had a decent start Tuesday against the Mariners. That could mean that Julio Teheran (COVID-19) will be ready to join the Angels’ rotation next week.

Griffin Canning pitched Monday, Andrew Heaney on Wednesday, Dylan Bundy on Thursday and Ohtani will Saturday. So that leaves TBA for this one. Probably will be a bullpen game.

Angels manager Joe Maddon wants none of his pitchers to hit any Astros batters this week after the Dodgers did Tuesday. Of course, Houston was “convicted” of a sign-stealing scandal this offseason. Maddon said he’s aware some Angels pitchers might have hard feelings, but he’s encouraged them to think carefully about how they react.

“We’ve talked about playing baseball, straight up,” Maddon said. “That’s what I’m anticipating. That’s all I’m looking for. What happened yesterday, if you were immediately impacted by (the sign stealing), I could get it a little bit. But then you saw the commissioner’s response, regarding what happened. So you got to choose the method you want to incorporate, and I would prefer that we just go play baseball.”

Game Trends
  • Houston is 7-3 in its past 10 at the Angels.
  • The over/under is 6-4 in the past 10 at the Angels.
Expert Prediction Astros 6, Angels 2