Astros vs. Angels Pick
Will the Houston Astros salvage the series win with the Los Angeles Angels when the two close things out later today at 3:37PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Houston is favored on the road today, as they are getting odds of -130 to win. The Angels are listed with a money line of +120 to win this afternoon, while the over/under total has been set at 9.5 runs.
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The pitching matchup today has Charlie Morton (10-6, 3.81 ERA) on the mound for the Astros to face Ricky Nolasco (6-12, 5.05) of the Angels. Morton is coming off a poor showing against the Nationals, allowing four runs in six innings. Morton has 125 strikeouts this season with 43 walks and a 1.23 WHIP. Nolasco is coming off a 1-run performance over 4.2 innings against the Rangers. He has 120 strikeouts this season with 45 walks and a 1.45 WHIP.
These two have traded a pair of 1-run games this weekend. Houston earned a 2-1 win on Friday while the Angels countered with a 7-6 victory on Saturday. Los Angeles is now 66-64 overall and 35-30 at home. Houston is 78-51 overall and 41-22 on the road.
Saturday saw the Astros establish a 6-1 lead, only to see it disappear late in the game. Brad Peacock pitched six innings, allowing just one run with eight strikeouts, but his pen gave up the six runs in six innings. Tyler Skaggs allowed five runs in five innings, but avoided the loss. Andrelton Simmons had a pair of hits and drove in three runs to lead the Angels while Kole Calhoun added three hits, two RBI and three runs. Houston was led by George Springer, who had his 29th home run of the season.
Houston should have won on Saturday, but their pen had a surprising meltdown. I don’t think that will carry over today. The Astros once again have the edge in the starting matchup and they have the more consistent lineup as well. Houston should be able to hold on to its early lead today, as their bullpen is not typically a disaster. Stick with Houston on the road.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS -130