It's an American League West showdown as the Los Angeles Angels open a series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Both the Angels and Astros have cooled off considerably after hot starts to the MLB season. L.A. has dropped four of their last six, while Houston has lost nine of 10. So, each team will try to build some momentum in this divisional matchup. But which team has the MLB betting edge?
Check out our MLB free picks and predictions for Angels vs. Astros on Thursday, April 22, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.
Angels vs Astros odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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MLB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonTwinSpires opened Houston a -120 favorite and is up to -130 as of 5 p.m. ET. The Angels are getting 58 percent of tickets, while the Astros are landing 64 percent of cash, including some sharp action despite their 1-9 mark over the last 10 games. The total dipped from 9 (Over -113) to 8.5 (Over -121), with 53 percent of tickets on the Over and 59 percent of money on the Under.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAngels vs Astros betting preview
Starting pitchers
Alex Cobb (1-0, 4.63 ERA): Cobb’s start with the Angels has been solid, if unspectacular. The right-hander has allowed three runs in each of the first two starts but has pitched into the sixth inning of both and racked up 17 strikeouts over 11 2-3 innings.
Christian Javier (1-0, 2.08 ERA): Javier was solid in his first two starts of the season (both against the A’s) before getting sent to the Astros alternate site to stretch him out further. The right-hander hasn’t pitched since April 8th but allowed just two runs on six hits while striking out 11 in 8 2-3 innings of work.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Angels: Justin Upton LF (Questionable), Felix Pena RP (Questionable), Anthony Rendon 3B (Out).
Astros: Jose Altuve 2B (Out), Pedro Baez RP (Out), Blake Taylor RP (Out), Austin Pruitt RP (Out), Josh James RP (Out), Enoli Paredes RP (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 8-0 in the last eight meetings between the Angels and Astros in Houston. Find more MLB betting trends for Angels vs. Astros.
Moneyline pick
The Astros have had a lot of issues during this trashy 10-game stretch, but the biggest of those issues have come at the dish. Houston has scored three runs or fewer seven times in the last 10 games and is averaging 2.6 runs per game over that stretch.
The Astros have seen their batting average against right-handers drop to .207 during this skid and now have to deal with Cobb, who isn’t what you would call elite but has created a lot of swings and misses this season. It doesn’t help that Jose Altuve will be out of the lineup a little longer.
The Angels, on the other hand, have seen their biggest issues in the starting rotation, but Cobb should be able to give them some quality innings in this one.
Meanwhile, the Halos lineup has been racking to start the season. Led by another strong start from Mike Trout, L.A. ranks third in scoring, second in batting average, and fourth in OPS. And even though Javier has been effective, if he can’t go long against this lineup, he hands the ball to a bullpen that ranks 24th in ERA. The Angels have decent value as underdogs in this one.
PREDICTION: Angels (+110)
Over/Under pick
First of all, these AL West foes love playing high-scoring games, with the Over going 23-9-2 in the last 34 meetings.
Second, the Astros are slumping, but they still rank ninth in scoring and batting average and seventh in OPS, going up against Cobb who is good to give up a couple of runs. And while the Angels’ bullpen has a solid ERA, they have been a little lucky, as they rank 22nd in opponent batting average and 23rd in WHIP.
With the Angels owning one of the best offenses in baseball, plating 5.3 runs per game this season, and scoring at least four runs in seven of their last 10 games, we like the Over trend to continue in this one.
PREDICTION: Over 9 (-110)
Angels vs Astros betting card
- Angels (+110)
- Over (-110)
Picks made on 4/21/2021 at 10:45 p.m. ET
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