The Los Angeles Angels (30-27) visit the Houston Astros (32-23) for the first of a four-game series between the division rivals. First pitch commences Thursday at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Astros own an advantage in the season series after taking two of three in Los Angeles last month. Below we continue our MLB odds series with an Angels-Astros prediction, pick, and how to watch.
Here are the Angels-Astros MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Angels-Astros Odds
Los Angeles Angels: +1.5 (-120)
Houston Astros: -1.5 (+100)
Over: 8.5 (-105)
Under: 8,5 (-115)
How To Watch Angels vs. Astros
TV: FS1, ATTSN Southwest, Bally Sports
Stream: Fox Sports Live, MLB.tv
Time: 8:10 p.m. ET/ 5:10 p.m. PT
*See how to watch Angels-Astros LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*
Why The Angels Could Cover The Spread
Last 10: 6-4 (Third in the AL West)
Run Line Record: 28-29 (49%)
Over Record: 27-26-4 (51%)
Los Angeles has been consistently solid this season – going 15-13 in both April and May. While their +12 run differential is nothing to write home about, the Angels boast a strong lineup that averages the eighth-most runs per game. They're coming off a strong series in Chicago this week in which they stole two of three games and put up 21 runs. After scoring just 11 runs in their earlier series with the Astros, the Angels will need their offense to stay hot if they want to cover as road underdogs tonight.
Lefty Reid Detmers (0-4) makes his 10th start of the season for the Angels tonight. The flame-throwing southpaw has regressed from last season and currently holds a 4.93 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. That said, Detmers has struck hitters out at a career-best 11.4 K/9 rate. While the 23-year-old avoided a complete blow-up in May, he still failed to make it through six innings nor allow fewer than two runs. He was roughed up in his most recent start when the Marlins shelled him for 10 hits and three runs in 5.0 innings. He allowed a staggering 15 fly balls in that outing – a scary sign with Houston's potent lineup on deck. While the Astros haven't hit for a high average against lefties, their .420 slugging percentage against southpaws makes Detmers difficult to trust tonight.
Outfielder Taylor Ward is a huge X-factor for the Angels tonight. With back-to-back two-hit games, Ward is finally heating up and collected 12 total bases over his last five games. A career .400 hitter against Framber Valdez, Ward's hot bat could prove a huge difference-maker tonight.
Why The Astros Could Cover The Spread
Last 10: 6-4 (Second in the AL West)
Run Line Record: 28-27 (51%)
Over Record: 27-27-1 (50%)
Houston looked slow out of the gates this season but still managed to compile a 14-12 record in April. Jose Altuve's return to the lineup last month propelled them to a stellar 17-10 record in May as they look to be heating up with the weather. That said, they ended the month on a sour note by dropping two of three against the Twins. Houston managed just 12 runs in the series – a number that must improve if they want to cover as 1.5-run favorites tonight.
Southpaw Framber Valdez (5-4) makes his 12th start of the season for the Astros tonight. Valdez has cemented himself as one of the best and most consistent starts in the majors and this season has been no different. Through 11 starts, he holds strong ratios despite a middling record. Both his 2.38 ERA and 1.04 WHIP would mark career highs for the 29-year-old. Additionally, Valdez is striking hitters out at his best rate since the shortened 2020 season thanks to a 9.6 K/9. He is coming off two dominant starts in which he allowed just a single run on five hits over 15 innings. He now gets a juicy matchup with an Angels team he already beat once this season. In 8.0 innings against LA last month, Valdez allowed just a single run, did not walk a hitter, and struck out 12.
While the team may have struggled to score in recent games, that is no fault of Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve. Bregman has been scorching hot over the last week – batting .440. Altuve is right there with him – batting .364 while collecting a team-best 16 total bases in just five games. An under-the-radar name to watch tonight is Jeremy Pena. The 25-year-old shortstop turned things on over the last week – recording a .500 on-base percentage. He'll be happy to see Reid Detmers tonight after going 4/7 against him last season.
Final Angels-Astros Prediction & Pick
Framber Valdez has been lights-out this season and has had no trouble with the Angels' two superstars – holding them to a combined .136 average. Given how shaky Reid Detmers has looked for LA, this is an easy Astros pick.
Final Angels-Astros Prediction & Pick: Houston Astros -1.5 (+100)
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