Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros Prediction 8/20/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

The Los Angeles Angels and the Houston Astros meet Thursday in MLB action from Daikin Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Los Angeles Angels will send out Grayson Rodriguez for the start here and Rodriguez is 3-5 with a 7.17 ERA and 55 strikeouts this season. Peter Lambert will start for the Astros and is 8-6 with a 3.11 ERA and 117 strikeouts this season. 

Los Angeles Angels Recap

The Los Angeles Angels come into this game looking to bounce back from a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Astros on Wednesday to sit at 50-77 this season. After this series, the Angels will head on the road for a series against the Texas Rangers.

Angels Alternate Wins & Losses In 6 Straight

Nolan Schanuel has 106 hits with 22 doubles, 7 homers and 47 RBIs while Mike Trout’s added 93 hits with 17 doubles, 20 home runs and 45 RBIs this season. Zach Neto’s also added 106 hits with 23 doubles, 20 homers and 53 RBIs as well this season. Oswald Peraza has 67 hits with 11 doubles, 7 home runs and 24 RBIs and Jorge Soler has 64 hits with 16 doubles, 12 home runs and 49 RBIs as well this season.

Houston Astros Recap

The Houston Astros come into this game looking to add on to their win over the Halos from Wednesday to sit at 64-63 this season. After this series, the Astros will take on the Athletics in a series at home.

Astros Snap Three-Game Slide

Yordan Alvarez has 143 hits with 25 doubles, 36 home runs and 88 RBIs while Christian Walker has 104 hits with 24 doubles, 23 home runs and 71 RBIs on the year. Jose Altuve’s chipped in 94 hits with 15 doubles, 13 home runs and 36 RBIs and Isaac Paredes has 113 hits with 21 doubles, 16 home runs and 67 RBIs. Cam Smith also has 89 hits with 15 doubles, 16 home runs and 45 RBIs.

Los Angeles Angels @ Houston Astros Betting Trends: August 20, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Peter Lambert      Record this season: 8-6      ERA: 3.11
• Home Record: 5-4
• Last 5 against Angels: 0-0

Why the Houston Astros will win

• The Angels have lost each of their last nine Thursday night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Astros have won four of their last five games against the Angels.
• The Astros have covered the run line in five of their last six games against AL West opponents following a win.
• The Angels have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games following a road loss.
• The Angels have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four road games.
• The Angels have trailed after 5 innings in nine of their last 12 games as road underdogs.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Grayson Rodriguez      Record this season: 3-5      ERA: 7.17
• Road Record: 2-2
• Last 5 against Astros: 0-1

Why the Los Angeles Angels will win

• The Angels have won four of their last five games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
• The Astros have lost four of their last five games as favorites following a win.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 Thursday home games.
• The Angels have covered the run line each of their last six night games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Angels have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Angels have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight night games against American League opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Angels’ last 11 night games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Four of the Astros’ last five games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Angels’ last seven games.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in nine of the last 10 games between the Angels and Astros at Daikin Park.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Peter Lambert has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last six appearances against AL opponents.
• Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of the Astros’ last 11 home games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Christian Vazquez has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances.
• Yordan Alvarez ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.610) this season.

Los Angeles Angels Player Prop Facts

• Zach Neto has hit at least one home run in five of his last eight road appearances against the Astros after playing the previous day.
• Grayson Rodriguez has recorded a win in five of his last six road appearances against AL opponents.
• Grayson Rodriguez has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last 10 appearances against AL West opponents.
• Jose Siri has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 road appearances against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• Mike Trout ranks 9th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.382) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Astros rank 29th in the league for steals this season (40).
• The Astros rank 3rd in the league for home runs this season (170).
• The Angels rank 30th in the league for walks allowed this season (526).
• The Angels rank 29th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.373).

Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Prediction

I’m backing the Astros in this one. I get the case to be made for the Angels here, but Grayson Rodriguez has easily been their weakest link in this rotation so far this season. Houston got back on track on Wednesday and I think that momentum carries over for the ‘Stros to pick up another solid win on Thursday. Give me the Astros here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Houston -175