by James Q
Sunday, Sep 19, 2021MLB Baseball: Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels Prediction, Odds and Preview - 09/20/2021
Game Time: 6:35 pm ET, Monday, September 20th, 2021
Venue: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California
Where to Watch: At&t SportsNet-SW, Bally Sports West
Opening MLB Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Astros -220, Angels +220; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline: Astros -220, Angels +220; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
PointsBet: Moneyline: Astros -220, Angels +220; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Season Record
Astros: 87-61 1st place, AL West
Angels: 72-76 4th place AL West
This American League West matchup was decided before now, before August, before July… The Angels don’t win enough to be a quality team in Major League Baseball. Which is very unfortunate for the two players on the roster who could be the best player in the playoffs if they were ever to get there. Mike Trout (injured now) and the transcendent Shohei Ohtani are wasting away in a Southern California market that can sell tickets regardless of ever having a winning record. The Houston Astros just have to avoid giving up home runs to Shohei and they should waltz out with the win.
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Astros vs Angels Preview and Analysis
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The Astros are 6-4 over their last ten games. The O/U over that ten was 5-3-2. They lost to the Seattle Mariners 1-0, went 2-1 against THESE Los Angeles Angels, went 3-1 against the Texas Rangers, 1-1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The regular season is winding down and the Houston Astros Predictions for the postseason are strong. They only have to figure out how to get it done without the trash can.
The Angels are 4-6 over their last ten games. Logging 4 Over, 5 Under, and 1 Push. They will be the underdog Monday night based on their losing record, lack of slugging, and soft bullpen. Outside of that things look ordinary in Anaheim. They almost share a city (they play technically 40 miles outside of LA) with the Los Angeles Dodgers… which will always make them look anemic. If they shared a city with the Cleveland Indians or Minnesota Twins they might be the best show in town. A slow, boring town.
Offensive Analysis
The Astros are 2nd in runs scored per game 5.33, 1st in batting average .269, and 1st in OBP .341. Numbers like that are what makes a 1st place team. It’s what the Yankees should be paying attention to. You can’t win games without scoring runs and you can’t score enough runs without winning some of these categories.
The Angels are 17th in runs scored per game 4.46, 10th in batting average .246, 20th in OBP .309. They are a couple losses away from being mathematically eliminated from the wild card, but for all intents and purposes they are there now. They are toying with the roster and mound appearances for next season. These numbers should dip a bit more before the final out of the season.
Defensive Analysis
The Astros are 4th in team ERA 3.70, 10th in strikeouts 1350, 8th in WHIP 1.22. They are pitching great. They give up a few too many walks, but that’s ok when you get solid run support.
The Angels are 21st in team ERA 4.69, 11th in SO, 25th in WHIP 1.38. They aren’t pitching great either. This is another area where Shohei Ohtani needs a mention. He is a not just their finest bat in the lineup but also a quality starter. A pitcher and a hitter in one guy being wasted on a franchise that should move to Vegas.
Astros vs Angels Prediction
Our prediction for Monday, September 20th is …. Astros 7 - Angels 3
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MLB Betting Trends
The Angels are 4-6 moneyline in their last ten games against the Astros.
The Angels and Astros are 6-4 O/U in last ten matchups.
Key Injuries
Astros: J Odorizzi SP (foot) Out * M. Brantley (knee) Out indefinitely
Angels: D. Bundy SP (shoulder) out for season * J Guerra RP (hamstring) Out indefinitely
Players to Watch
Astros: Jose Altuve 2B. He is the star in Houston and the center of their trashcan world. He avoided punishment for cheating throughout a World Series win… so we should all watch him closely everytime he plays in case he is up to something.
Angels: The best and maybe only reason to watch an Angels game is Shohei Ohtani. If Shohei is out for rest or IL, the only reason to watch the Angels is if you have them mixed into a few parlays.
Notable Quotes
"Calhoun's just squeaked through the infield,.....That was the tone all night. It was the same way they did with Lance (McCullers). On the home run, he just found too much of the plate. It was as simple as that." -Dusty Baker, Houston Manager about dropping last game to the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Is Shohei pitching?”... no…. “Do you wanna watch Ted Lasso then?” - Every wife in Anaheim.
Starting Lineups
Astros:
J. Altuve, 2B
A. Diaz, 1B
A. Bregman, 3B
Y. Alvarez, DH
C. Correa, SS
K. Tucker, RF
C. McCormick, LF
J. Meyers, CF
M. Maldonado, C
Angels:
B. Marsh, CF
S. Ohtani, P
P. Gosselin, LF
J. Walsh, 1B
L. Rengifo, SS
J. Rojas, RF
M. Stassi, C
J. Mayfield, 3B
D. Fletcher, 2B
Statistical Leaders
Astros:
Batting AVG: Michael Brantley .315
Home Runs: Yordan Alvarez 31
OBP: Yuri Gurriel .380
Wins: Lance McCullers Jr 12
Saves: Ryan Pressly 24
Angels:
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani 44
OBP: Shohei Ohtani .359
RBI: Shohei Ohtani 94
Wins: Shohei Ohtani 9
Strikeouts: Shohei Ohtani 136
Saves: Raisel Iglesias
Manager:
Astros: Dusty Baker
Angels: Joe Maddon
Weather Forecast
Sunny, Hot, high of 85*. As the sun dips behind the distant mountains, burning the sky in an unbelievable desert red, a chill hits the Southern California air. The temperature can drop as much as ten degrees in the first 10 minutes after sunset. Bring a light sweater or team jacket.
James Q
About the Author:
James Q. has been involved with sports and gambling his entire life. A former division 1 scholarship basketball player, James understands sports (and especially basketball) inside-and-out. Following his basketball playing days, James parlayed his gambling skills into a semi-pro poker career. James resides in Los Angeles, and especially loves the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Rams, and Los Angeles Dodgers. And when he isn't betting on sports (and writing about it), James can be found performing stand-up comedy on the Sunset Strip.
