Angels vs Astros Prediction - MLB Picks 8/11/23

Houston Astros (66-50) vs Los Angeles Angels (58-58)

Game Info: Friday, August 11, 2023 at 8:10 pm (Minute Maid Park)

Justin Verlander (6-6) (3.11) vs Reid Detmers (2-8) (4.78)

Betting Odds: Houston Astros -184 / Los Angeles Angels +166 --- Over/Under: 8.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Houston Astros will host the Los Angeles Angels for game one of their divisional series this Friday from Minute Maid Park.

Angels Preview & Projected Starter

Los Angeles moved to 58-58 after taking two of three from San Francisco. The Angels stopped the bleeding with a pair of wins over the Giants, but they face a stiff test here against the Astros. The LAA offense is scoring 4.16 runs per game, while batting .257, with a .333 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.43 ERA, with a 1.36 WHIP.

Reid Detmers (2-8, 4.78 ERA, 126 Ks) will make the road start for Los Angeles. The third-year lefty was roughed up in division play by Seattle last time out, allowing seven runs through four innings pitched, yet somehow managing to avoid his third straight loss. Detmers has struggled since returning from the break, posting a 0-3 record over his last five, with one of those being a home loss to Houston.

Angels Player Trends & Props

• Shohei Ohtani has recorded a hit in nine of the last ten games, and he’s first in the AL in home runs (40), while leading LAA in hits (126) and RBI (82), while batting .310.

• Brandon Drury plated runs in both wins over San Fran, and he’s posting splits of .277/15/48.

• Mike Moustakas powered the game three victory with a three-run shot, and after recording multiple hits in five of the previous seven games, Moose is posting splits of .278/10/37.

• Hunter Renfroe produced a pair of runs in the game two win, and he’s posting a line of .249/17/51.

Astros Preview & Projected Starter

Houston enters at 66-50 after taking two of three from Baltimore. The Astros held their own on the road this week and they'll look to keep ground with the Rangers this weekend in division action. Houston offense is scoring 4.76 runs per game, while batting .248, with a .317 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.81 ERA, with a 1.27 WHIP.

Justin Verlander (6-6, 3.11 ERA, 57 Ks) will take the hill for Houston. The veteran reigning AL Cy Young winner ironically returned to NYC in his first bout with the Astros, holding the Yankees to two runs through seven innings in the Bronx, but a lack of run support led to a losing decision. Verlander has been locked in since the beginning of June, holding clubs to two runs or less in nine of his last twelve starts, and his return to HTown really gives them a serious chance to repeat as champions.

Astros Player Trends & Props

• Kyle Tucker homered in both wins in Baltimore, and he leads the Astros in hits (123), with strong splits of .296/21/84.

• Alex Bregman collected a hit in all three matchups with the O’s, and he’s posting a line of .251/18/72.

• Yordan Alvarez has recorded a hit in eight of the last ten games, and he’s tied with Tucker for the team-lead in homers at 21, while batting .283, with 62 RBI.

• Jose Altuve went off in the game three loss, homering and collecting a season-four hits, and he brings a 12-game hit streak into this series, and he’s batting .305.

• Jeremy Peña plated runs in both victories over the Orioles, and he’s batting .241, with 41 runs batted in.

Corey’s Free Pick

Los Angeles saved what was left of their season by replicating 2002 and winning the final two games over San Francisco, but they come into a tough spot this weekend in Houston. Friday night will be special at Minute Maid, as Justin Verlander will be making his home debut after returning to the Astros at the deadline. JV started to pick things up last month, and I like his momentum carrying into this matchup with LAA. The Angels could prove to be pesky this weekend, but I really like leaning on Verlander and the Astros bats here at home. Back Houston for game one of this divisional series.