by Rod Pearson
Friday, Jul 14, 2023
Game Time: 9:07 pm ET, Saturday, July 15, 2023
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
Where to Watch: BSW
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Astros -130, Angels +110; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Astros -130, Angels +110; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Astros -130, Angels +110; 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 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Angels on Saturday with the series opener of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 17th in the MLB with a .723 OPS. Rookie pitcher J.P. France is their starting pitcher on Friday while Framber Valdez is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 7-6 with a 2.51 ERA this season. His team won 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 ER, 0 HR, and 2 BB with 6 Ks on 5 hits through 6 IP against the Seattle Mariners.
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 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Astros on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 5th in the MLB with a .772 OPS. Shohei Ohtani is their starting pitcher on Friday while Reid Detmers is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 2-6 with a 4.31 ERA this season. His team won 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 7 earned runs, 3 homers, and 1 BB with 4 strikeouts on 6 hits through 3.1 innings played against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Astros vs Angels Prediction
The current betting odds have the Astros listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Astros have been trending in a much different direction than the Angels have been lately. The Astros are starting to surge up the standings in the AL West with their offense getting a lot better while the Angels have slipped under .500 now and are in a very bad position going forward with their injuries. The Astros have a chance to go on a big run out of the break here and they aren't going to hesitate at the opportunity to take advantage of this struggling Angels team. The Astros also have Valdez starting in this game and he has been a really reliable starter for them all season. Valdez hasn't been giving up many runs in any of his starts all season and he has been great in his starts lately too. The Angels have a good offense this season but they have been in a big slump lately and with their lineup also banged up now, Valdez won't have a tough time keeping them off the board here. The Angels have Detmers starting in this game and he has been falling apart lately as he gave up 7 runs in his last start and has been giving up a lot more runs in his starts lately. The Astros haven't had a great offense this season but they have been getting hot over the last week and they will be looking to have an offensive explosion in this series as they push to go on a run and catch the Rangers now. The best way to place a bet here is on the Astros to win this game.
Astros Angels Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, July 15, 2023 (9:07 pm ET start time) is Astros 7 Angels 2.
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MLB Betting Trends
Houston Astros: 17-10 (+6.3 units) on the moneyline against division opponents. 25-19 (+7.7 units) on the moneyline in road games. 56-32 UNDER on the road with a money line of -100 to -150. 23-16 UNDER on the road when the total is 7 to 7.5.
Los Angeles Angels: 45-46 (-7.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 8-17 (-14.6 units) on the moneyline against left-handed starters. 25-17 UNDER in home games. REID DETMERS is 11-3 UNDER at home when the total is 7 to 8.5.
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.
