by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Jul 13, 2023
Game Time: 9:38 pm ET, Friday, July 14, 2023
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
Where to Watch: MLB Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Astros +135, Angels -155; Over/Under: 8 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Astros +135, Angels -155; Over/Under: 8 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Astros +135, Angels -160; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
Season Record
Houston Astros: 50-41 (2nd place, AL West)
Los Angeles Angels: 45-46 (4th place, AL West)
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Recent Form
Houston Astros: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Angels: 1-9 last 10
Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels Preview and Analysis
The Astros are entering this series off of a loss and lost their 4-game series against the Seattle Mariners 3-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 50-41 record overall and have a road record of 25-19. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Angels on Friday and they have had the week off for rest due to the All-Star break. Their offense ranks 17th in the MLB with a .723 OPS. Brandon Bielak was their starting pitcher on Sunday while rookie pitcher J.P. France is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 4-3 with a 3.26 ERA this season. His team won their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 ER, 1 HR, and 1 BB with 4 Ks on 6 hits through 6 IP against the Colorado Rockies.
The Angels are entering this series on a 5 game losing streak and got swept 2-0 in their 2-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in their last series. They enter this game with a 45-46 record overall and have a home record of 23-20. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Astros on Friday and they have had the week off for rest due to the All-Star break. Their offense ranks 5th in the MLB with a .772 OPS. Reid Detmers was their starting pitcher on Sunday while Shohei Ohtani is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 7-4 with a 3.32 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 5 earned runs, 2 homers, and 4 BB with 5 strikeouts on 7 hits through 5 innings played against the San Diego Padres.
Astros vs Angels Prediction
The current betting odds have the Astros listed as an underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Astros got off to a slower start this season but now they have been getting hot in their games lately and were starting to make some moves in the standings going into the All-Star break. The Angels have been doing the opposite lately as they were over .500 on the season but have now slipped under .500 for the year and are in danger of falling down the standings even more when they play in a really tough division. They do have Ohtani starting here and he has been really good all season but he has also been dealing with an injury on his hand that prevented him from pitching in the All-Star break and this is actually his 1st start since missing time in the rotation due to it. The Astros offense was getting really hot going into the break and they will be looking to pick up where they left off as they try to chase down the Rangers for 1st place of the AL West now. The Astros also have France starting here and he has been really good in his starts, not giving up many runs all season, and the Astros bullpen has also been really good this season which will be refreshed after that nice time off. The Astros have a chance to come out of the break strong and start surging for the lead of the division by taking advantage of this slumping Angels team. The best way to place a bet here is on the Astros to win this game.
Astros Angels Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Friday, July 14, 2023 (9:38 pm ET start time) is Astros 5 Angels 1.
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MLB Betting Trends
Houston Astros: 16-13 (+6.1 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 or higher. 25-19 (+7.7 units) on the moneyline in road games. 13-6 UNDER after batting .225 or worse over a 5 game span. 15-7 UNDER as an underdog of +125 to +175.
Los Angeles Angels: 45-46 (-7.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 18-17 (-7.2 units) on the moneyline as a home favorite of -110 or higher. 16-6 UNDER as a home favorite of -125 to -175. 25-17 UNDER in home games.
Key Injuries
Houston Astros: J. Urquidy (SP) Early Aug - Shoulder. Y. Alvarez (LF) Late July - Oblique. J. Altuve (2B) Late July - Oblique. M. Brantley (DH) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. L. McCullers Jr. (SP) out for season - Elbow. L. Garcia (SP) out for season - Elbow.
Los Angeles Angels: M. Moore (RP) Late July - Oblique. Z. Neto (SS) Late July - Oblique. T. Ward (RF) Ques Fri - Groin. A. Rendon (3B) Ques Fri - Shin. J. Adell (LF) Ques Fri - Oblique. B. Joyce (RP) Mid Aug - Hand. M. Trout (CF) Early Sept - Wrist. B. Drury (3B) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. G. Urshela (3B) out for season - Pelvis. J. Suarez (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. M. Stassi (C) Out indefinitely - Hip. A. Warren (RP) out for season - Elbow. J. Quijada (RP) out for season - Elbow. L. O'Hoppe (C) Late Aug - Shoulder. C. Rodriguez (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“If anybody had told me that we’d be two games out with all that has happened, injuries and different things that we had, I'd say I’d be happy to have that. I’m just not happy at the moment.” - Dusty Baker after his team’s loss against the Mariners in their game on Sunday.
“He's still pretty sore.” - Phil Nevin on Anthony Rendon after their loss against the LA Dodgers in their game on Friday.
Starting Lineups
Houston Astros
Mauricio Dubon (R) 2B
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Kyle Tucker (L) RF
Jose Abreu (R) 1B
Yainer Diaz (R) DH
Chas McCormick (R) LF
Jeremy Pena (R) SS
Jake Meyers (R) CF
Martin Maldonado (R) C
Los Angeles Angels
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
Mickey Moniak (L) CF
Jo Adell (R) LF
Mike Moustakas (L) 1B
Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B
Matt Thaiss (L) C
Luis Rengifo (S) 2B
Andrew Velazquez (S) SS
Statistical Leaders
Houston Astros
Batting Average: Kyle Tucker (.288)
Hits: Kyle Tucker (93)
Home Runs: Yordan Alvarez (17)
RBI: Alex Bregman (56)
Stolen Bases: Corey Julks (15)
Wins: Cristian Javier (7)
Saves: Ryan Pressly (20)
ERA: Hector Neris (1.43)
Los Angeles Angels
Batting Average: Mickey Moniak (.308)
Hits: Shohei Ohtani (103)
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani (32)
RBI: Shohei Ohtani (71)
Stolen Bases: Shohei Ohtani (11)
Wins: Shohei Ohtani (7)
Saves: Carlos Estevez (21)
ERA: Matt Moore (1.44)
Managers:
Houston Astros: Dusty Baker (4th season)
Los Angeles Angels: Phil Nevin (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
