Astros vs. Angels Pick
The Houston Astros and host Los Angeles Angels conclude their three-game series Thursday night at 10:07PM EST.
Oddsmakers at sports book Bovada.lv have put the Astros as a -137 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Angels are a +117 underdog and the over-under is set at 9.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS StatsThe start for Houston goes to Brad Peacock (10-2, 3.05 ERA), while the Angels are turning to Ricky Nolasco (6-13, 5.19). Peacock has a 1.24 WHIP with 150 strikeouts in 115 innings. He allowed two earned runs on five hits with nine strikeouts and no walks over 5 2/3 innings in an 11-4 loss at the Athletics his last start. He has a 2.95 ERA on the road over 64 innings. Nolasco holds a 1.47 WHIP with 132 strikeouts in 159 2/3 innings. He surrendered four earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks over 3 2/3 innings his last outing, a 4-3 loss at the Mariners. Nolasco has a 4.98 ERA over 14 home starts.
Houston comes in at 87-58 overall and 46-27 on the road, while Los Angeles is 74-71 and 39-32 at home. The two teams are 5-5 in their last 10 meetings and the over-under is 5-4-1.
The Angels evened the series at a game apiece with a 9-1 win Wednesday night. Brandon Phillips was 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs at the top of the lineup. Mike Trout was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Justin Upton hit a solo home run, while Kole Calhoun was 2-for-4 with a double plus a run and an RBI. Luis Valbuena was 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two runs and two RBIs. C.J. Cron was 1-for-2 with a run and two walks. Tyler Skaggs threw seven shutout innings, giving up three hits and one walk while striking out five. Mike Fiers was shelled for eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings to take the loss. Tyler White had a double and scored the lone run off the bench, while Max Stassi had the RBI.
The Astros did not look good offensively or with their pitching Wednesday, but Nolasco might provide a cure for the hitter woes while Peacock is having a strong season as a six-inning pitcher. Let’s take the slightly better offense with the much better starting pitching option in the series finale.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS -137