LA Angels (60-86) vs Houston Astros (78-68)
Game Info: Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9:38 pm (Angel Stadium of Anaheim)
Sam Aldegheri (1-1) (2.45) vs Yusei Kikuchi (8-9) (4.31)
Betting Odds: LA Angels +195 / Houston Astros -238 --- Over/Under: 9 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: Bally Sports West, Space City Home Network
The Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels square off Friday in MLB action from Angel Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Houston Astros will send out Yusei Kikuchi for the start here and Kikuchi is 8-9 with a 4.31 ERA and 183 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Angels, Kikuchi is 0-2 with a 9.64 ERA and 28 strikeouts. The Los Angeles Angels will start Samuel Aldegheri here and Aldegheri is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 10 strikeouts this season. This will be Aldegheri’s first career start against the Astros.
Houston Astros Recap
The Houston Astros will be out to build on their 6-3 win over the Oakland A’s in Thursday’s series finale. Despite the win on Thursday, the Astros still lost the series with the A’s, failing to build on their series win over the Diamondbacks from last weekend.
Astros Trying To Secure AL West Crown
Jose Altuve has 174 hits and a .302 batting average with 19 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 28 doubles while Yordan Alvarez also has 32 homers with 80 RBIs and 31 doubles. Altuve has the Astros’ team lead with 20 stolen bases so far this season. Jeremy Pena also has 147 hits and a .267 batting average as well as 16 stolen bases of his own this season. Alex Bregman’s added 22 homers 65 RBIs and 28 doubles also.
Why the Houston Astros will win
- The Astros have won each of their last 12 Friday games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Angels have lost seven of their last eight home games against American League opponents following a road loss.
- The Astros have covered the run line each of their last nine Friday games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Angels have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine home games against American League opponents following a road loss.
Los Angeles Angels Recap
The Los Angeles Angels come into this one looking to rebound from a series loss to the Twins thanks to a 6-4 loss in Wednesday’s series finale. The series loss meant back-to-back L’s for the Halos after falling short against the Rangers last week.
Angels Looking To Play Spoiler
Taylor Ward has 130 hits along with 26 doubles, 23 home runs, and 67 RBIs while Zach Neto has 31 doubles, 21 home runs, a team-high 70 RBIs, 122 strikeouts, and 29 stolen bases. Luis Rengifo also has 85 hits and 24 stolen bases while Jo Adell has 20 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases as well. Logan O’Hoppe has 104 hits and Neto has 126 hits as well with O’Hoppe adding 19 homers and 54 RBIs.
Why the Los Angeles Angels will win
- The Astros have lost each of their last six games as road favorites following a home win.
- The Angels have won five of their last six games as home underdogs against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as road favorites following a home win.
- The Angels have covered the run line in eight of their last nine games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
Astros vs. Angels Prediction
I’m on the Astros here. Despite any struggles that Kikuchi has had in an Astro uniform, the Astros keep backing him up as the Astros have yet to lose with Kikuchi on the mound, going 7-0 in the starts. The Angels may have something here with Aldegheri, but I think the offense is just playing out the string while the motivation angle is squarely on the Astros here. Give me Houston in this one.
Chris’s Pick Houston -1.5
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
