Subscribe
Follow Us
The Houston Astros will try to win the four-game series as they face the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday afternoon at Angels Stadium. It's time to continue our MLB odds series with an Astros-Angels prediction and pick.
The Angels shut out the Astros 2-0 on Saturday night to get their first win of the season. Noah Syndergaard pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings surrendering two hits. Then, Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera pitched perfectly in relief to set up the stage for closer Rasiel Iglesias. Consequently, Iglesias pitched a perfect ninth, including a strikeout of Almedys Diaz, to secure the win and his first save of the season. On the other end, Justin Verlander was efficient. He tossed five innings, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out seven batters.
The source of offense came on two solo home runs. First, Jared Walsh slammed the first pitch from Verlander into the seats in deep right field for his first home run of the season. Also, it was the first home run hit by any Angels player on the season. Ironically, the first run of the game could have happened an inning earlier. Mike Trout slugged a shot deep to center field, only for Chas McCormick to leap at the wall and snag it, robbing him of the home run. However, Trout got a second chance in the eighth inning. He punched a 1-2 pitch from reliever Ryne Stanek to deep left-center, with no one catching it, and cementing his first home run of the season.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Astros-Angels MLB odds:
MLB Odds: Astros-Angels Odds
Astros: -1.5 (+150)
Angels: +1.5 (-182)
Over: 10 (-106)
Under: 10 (-114)
*Watch MLB Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)
Why The Astros Could Cover The Spread
Houston has dominated the series thus far, winning two of the first three games. They won the opener 3-1 and the second game 13-6. Conversely, they could not score off Angels pitching last night. Today, they face Jose Suarez, who dominated them last season. Houston must strike at him early and often to throw him off his rhythm. Meanwhile, the Astros will go with Jose Urquidy.
Urquidy pitched efficiently against the Angels in 2021. He went 1-0 in two games started. Ironically, the win came in the game where he allowed four runs and six hits. Now, Urquidy gets the call to face an Angels lineup with three top-tier hitters who have struggled to start the season. He has plenty of run support of his own. Alex Bregman, Michael Brantley, and Kyle Tucker have produced amazingly to start the season. The three have combined to slam four home runs and nine RBIs in three games. However, the Astros will need Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez. Altuve is hitting .083 with one home run and two RBIs. Additionally, Alvarez is hitting .182 with one home run and two RBIs.
Hence, the Astros will cover the spread if they strike Suarez early. Additionally, the Astros will need their five main sluggers to produce to put the game out of reach against the Angels. Lastly, a good performance by Urquidy would do wonders for the Astros. If Houston can accomplish all three, they will take the third game and win the four-game series.
Why The Angels Could Cover The Spread
Shohei Ohtani has not hit the ball well at all, and it is only a matter of time until he does. He is batting .077 after three games, including four strikeouts. In addition to that, Ohtani has yet to hit a home run. However, Ohtani mashed the ball in the daytime last season. He had 13 home runs in 46-day games in 2021. Meanwhile, Trout slugged his first home run last night, but he is batting .200 so far. Lastly, Anthony Rendon has mustered one hit, batting .111 after three games. The Angels need these three to lead them and support Walsh, who is batting .417 after three games.
Suarez takes the mound on Sunday. He went 2-0 in two appearances against the Astros in 2021, one of which was a start. Suarez allowed one unearned run in each game, including a 4-2 win against Houston on September 11, 2021. He produces a wicked changeup that could make the difference against a ferocious lineup.
Therefore, the Angels could cover the spread if the bats produce and give Suarez the run support he needs. Additionally, Suarez must continue his recent mastery of the Astros, and locate the strike zone. A warm Sunday afternoon at the ballpark might help the Angels' hitters find their groove.
Final Astros-Angels Prediction & Pick
The final game of the series should be thrilling. Suarez pitched well against the Astros last season and can handle their lineup. Thus, expect Suarez to keep the Angels in the game and the hitters to rise. Ohtani is due for a monster game and has produced before during afternoon games. The Angels keep this one close and cover the spread, and possibly win.
Final Astros-Angels Prediction & Pick: Angels +1.5 (-182)
