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The Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels will finish up a three-game series on Sunday afternoon. It's time to continue our MLB odds series and make an Astros-Angels prediction and pick.
The Astros are one of the best teams in the MLB, but they have some strong competition for the AL West. The Oakland Athletics are only 2.5 games back of first place, so the division title is far from a lock for Houston. The Angels also play in the AL West, but their playoff hopes are nonexistent. Los Angeles is 13 games back of first place, but this is still an important game for them. The Angels would love to help spoil the Astros' chances of a division title, so expect them to play with a purpose.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the lines for Sunday's matchup.
MLB Odds: Astros-Angels Odds
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Houston Astros – 1 1/2 (-127)
Los Angeles Angels +1 1/2
Over 9 runs (-120)
Under 9 runs (+100)
Why The Astros Could Cover The Spread
Houston is one of the best offenses in all of baseball. They rank inside the top three in batting average, OBP, OPS, and slugging percentage. The Astros also seem to have caught fire lately, scoring more than four runs in four of their last five games. Angels starter Reid Detmers doesn't seem like he's up to the task of dealing with this deadly lineup.
Detmers has only made two starts this season, with neither one of them ending well. He owns a 10.61 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP over nine innings of work. The sample size is obviously tiny, but Detmers has put out nothing but poor pitching performances. He's given up a home run in both of his starts, as well was walking multiple batters in each appearance. Houston's lineup should have no trouble putting up plenty of early runs in this one.
The Angels, on the other hand, won't have such an easy day at the plate. Astros starter Lance McCullers is set to make the start, and he seems to have the Angels' number. McCullers has faced Los Angeles twice this season, pitching a combined 14 innings against them. The righty only gave up three runs over that span.
Why The Angels Could Cover The Spread
The Angels may not have the pitching to keep the Astros from scoring, but they have the offense to keep pace with them. Los Angeles ranks in the top ten in baseball in batting average and slugging percentage, while ranking just outside the top ten in OBP and OPS. Despite McCullers' history against the Angels, an offensive breakout from Los Angeles isn't out of the question.
The Angels have some statistics going their way in this matchup. This series finale takes place in Anaheim, where the Angels are a much better offensive team. Los Angeles sees a boost to their batting average, OBP, OPS, and slugging percentage whenever they play at home as opposed to on the road. The Angels also have four hitters in their lineup who hit .250 or better throughout their career against McCullers. Los Angeles is certainly due for good performance against McCullers, and this could be the game where it finally happens.
Final Astros-Angels Prediction & Pick
This is a pretty clear-cut pick. The Astros have every advantage in this matchup, so covering the spread shouldn't be too much of an issue for them. The Angels' pitching situation is too rocky to ever place a bet on, even with the spread in play.
FINAL PICK: Houston Astros – 1 1/2 (-127)
