Astros vs Angels Predictions, Picks, Odds: Running Out of Bats

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The Los Angeles Angels (45-46) look to get back on track with the resumption of play after the All-Star Break, having lost nine of their last 10 games. 

They’ll start off with a three-game series against the Houston Astros (50-41) that gets underway Friday night in Southern California. MLB odds have the home side tabbed as favorites for the opener.

What should you expect from Shohei Ohtani and J.P. France on the mound for Game 1?

Read on for my best bet and full MLB picks and predictions for the Astros vs. Angels on Friday, July 14. 

Astros vs Angels odds

Astros vs Angels predictions

Shohei Ohtani gets the call for the Angels while the Astros counter with rookie J.P. France. Both have been effective this season and will look to maintain that level of performance in the second half. 

Ohtani’s name figures to be in the headlines even more than normal with the trade deadline approaching on August 1 and seemingly the entire league interested in acquiring his unmatched services. For now, he’ll need to prove that he’s healthy after getting pulled from each of his last two starts with a finger issue (cracked fingernail and a blister on the same finger). 

Injury concerns are a theme between these two AL West representatives, and they must be explored a bit deeper as they’ll play a big part in Friday’s handicap. 

The Angels are reeling with Mike Trout on the shelf for at least a few more weeks with a fractured left hamate bone. Infielders Brandon Drury and Gio Urshela are also on the shelf. The good news is that lineup mainstays Taylor Ward and Anthony Rendon will likely return on Friday after missing some time before the break. 

The Astros remain shorthanded as stars Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez are on the shelf until the end of July with oblique injuries.

Neither lineup has been setting the world on fire lately, which is understandable, considering the injuries to both sides. They’ve posted similar numbers in the month of July with an identical 92 wRC+, which ranks in the bottom third of the MLB in that time frame. 

France has been a steady presence for Dusty Baker’s squad, sporting a 3.26 ERA and 1.21 WHIP at the break. The right-hander has allowed no more than three earned runs in any of his last six starts and faces a beleaguered Halos lineup that has a 72 wRC+ (23rd) and .277 wOBA (also 23rd) against righties in July while posting the league’s highest K-rate at 29.7%.

Ohtani has had 10 full days of rest, at least as far as pitching goes, and therefore his blister concerns are hopefully diminished as the All-Star Break came at the perfect time. He should return to form sooner rather than later. 

Game 1 forecasts as a low-scoring game between two injured lineups and therefore I’ll target the Under. 

My best bet: Under 8 (-104)

Astros vs Angels same-game parlay

Under 8.5 (-150)

Ohtani records first striekout (-500)

Pena Under 0.5 runs (-190)

Escobar Under 0.5 runs (-210)

+225 at bet365

Here’s a four-leg SGP with correlation to my best bet. Adding a half-run is generally required when playing an SGP, hence the 8.5 total instead of 8. 

I’ll add Ohtani to record the first strikeout of the game, as that’s highly likely considering he’ll take the mound first against the visiting Astros. He’s a punchout machine with a 32.4% K-rate that is nearly double his opponent’s (France has a miniscule 17.6% K-rate). It would be very surprising if France notched the first strikeout of the game. 

Our third and fourth legs will be the Astros’ Jeremy Pena and the Halos’ Eduardo Escobar not to score a run. Since I’m anticipating this game to be low-scoring, I don’t expect many batters to be touching home plate. Escobar has scored just twice in his last 10 games, whereas Pena has a .668 OPS against right-handed pitching and is facing one of the MLB’s best on Friday night, so it’d be a surprise if he does much damage and scores a run. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Astros vs Angels moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Angels are the betting favorite, sitting between -150 and -161 depending on the book. The best comeback available on the Astros is +137 as of Friday morning. 

The Angels have a starting pitching advantage, but this team was in complete freefall before the All-Star break and there is no way in my right mind that I can recommend playing them at juice currently. They’ve dropped five straight and nine of their last 10 games. The lineup is in a world of hurt and the bullpen (4.06) is at a disadvantage compared to the Astros (3.56 ERA). 

Houston has won five of the last six meetings between these two teams.

The total is set at a flat 8 across most books, although 7.5 is also available if you look close enough. I’m on the Under as both starters have been effective lately while these lineups have ranked in the bottom third of the league this month while dealing with several injuries. 

Trend to know

The Angels are 8-18 O/U in their last 26 home games. Find more MLB betting trends for Astros vs. Angels

Astros vs Angels game info

Starting pitchers

J.P. France (4-3, 3.26 ERA): France has won his last two starts. He’s been in fine form, allowing no more than three earned runs in any of his last six appearances. Although it’s been a strong debut for the 28-year-old rookie, his 4.14 xERA and 4.79 FIP are both metrics of concern. His 17.6% K-rate is well below expected and he struggles to make batters miss, ranking in just the second percentile in chase rate. 

Shohei Ohtani (7-4, 3.32 ERA): The brightest star in baseball gets the call for the Halos. He’s making his first start since allowing five runs across five innings against the San Diego Padres. He was experiencing blister issues in that contest, so all eyes will be on him in this outing to see if there are any ill effects. The 29-year-old has a 3.81 xERA and 4.02 FIP. 

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