The Los Angeles Angels (19-29) visit the Houston Astros (21-27) for the 2nd Game of their 3-Game series on Tuesday. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is at 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Angels vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Angels lead 1-0
The Angels took the series opener 9-7 Monday, scoring 7 runs — on 4 HRs — in the 5th inning after falling behind 6-1. It was their 2nd straight win and 4th in 5 Games.
The Astros, entering the series, had won 7 of their last 8. They beat the Angels 9 out of 13 matchups last season. After allowing only 1 run in the first 4 innings, starter Framber Valdez got knocked around in the 5th for the 7-run rally to take the loss.
Angels at Astros projected starters
RHP Griffin Canning vs. RHP Cristian Javier
Canning (2-4, 5.21 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 6.5 K/9 through 46 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 7-2 home win over St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday
- 1.53 ERA over last 3 starts (17 2/3 IP, 3 ER)
- Career vs. Astros: 0-2, 7.71 ERA (23 1/3 IP, 20 ER), 1.76 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 in 6 starts
- 2023 vs. Astros: 0-1, 5.59 ERA (9 2/3 IP, 6 ER), 1.14 WHIP, 6.5 K/9 in 2 starts
Javier (3-1, 3.23 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 4.7 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9 through 30 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 K in 8-1 home win over Oakland A’s Thursday
- Allowed 2 or fewer earned runs in 5 of his 6 starts
- Career vs. Angels: 5-1, 2.79 ERA (48 1/3 IP, 15 ER), 0.93 WHIP, 14.0 K/9 in 11 games (7 starts)
- 2023 vs. Angels: 2-0, 3.18 ERA (17 IP, 6 ER), 0.94 WHIP, 12.2 K/9 in 3 starts
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Angels at Astros odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:11 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Angels +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Astros -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Angels +1.5 (-115) | Astros -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Angels at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, Angels 3
Moneyline
The 4 wins in 5 games for the Angels are the most since in a 5-game stretch since going 4-1 from March 31-April 5.
Canning has been great over his last 3 outings, allowing only 3 runs in 17 2/3 innings as mentioned above.
But Javier has been consistent. Aside from one outing, he has not allowed more than 3 earned runs and allowed 2 or fewer in 4 of 6.
The Astros entered this series red-hot, winning 9 of their previous 11 Games.
Not expecting the Angels’ play to be sustainable, expect the Astros to win, but don’t bet them at -200.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
Six of the Astros’ last 8 wins have been by more than 1 run, and 17 of their 21 have been by 2 or more. Their 3 wins with Javier starting have all been by 2 or more runs.
Four of the 6 losses the Angels have when Canning starts have been by 2 or more runs and 21 of L.A.’s 29 wins have also been by 2 or more.
BET ASTROS -1.5 (-105).
Over/Under
Six of Canning’s 9 starts this season have had 9 or more total runs.
Four of the Astros’ last 5 games have had 9 or more runs.
Six of the last 7 matchups between the 2 teams have had at least 9 total runs.
However, Canning’s recent starts and Javier’s play over the whole season make me believe this will be a lower-scoring Game.
BET UNDER 9 (-115).
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