AL West rivals begin their 2020 season series when the Astros and Angels open a three-game set in Anaheim Friday night. Houston looks to rebound after dropping a series to the Dodgers while the Angels will play the next few games without their best player. How are we playing this game with our free MLB pick?
MLB Betting Odds
Friday’s MLB betting odds opened Houston and McCullers at around -160 over Los Angeles and Andriese, with an over/under of 9.5 runs. Early betting action then bumped the Astros about a dime, to around -170.
Astros vs. Angels Set-Up
Houston just got swept in a two-game series at home by the Dodgers, losing 5-2 Tuesday and 4-2 in 13 innings Wednesday. The Astros then had Thursday off.
Houston managed just 12 hits in the two games against the Dodgers, only three for extra bases. They also stranded 15 baserunners Wednesday night alone. The Astros opened their 2020 season by taking three of four games at home from Seattle. After going 107-55 last year, Houston faces a season wins over/under of 35 for this season, the second-highest total in the American League. Meanwhile, the Angels just dropped two of three games at home to the Mariners, losing Thursday’s series rubber match 8-5. Los Angeles only trailed Seattle 3-2 Thursday into the top of the ninth inning, but the Angels bullpen gave up five runs. Los Angeles opened its season by losing three of four games at Oakland. After going 72-90 last year, the Angels face a wins O/U of 31/5 for this season. Last year Houston took the season series from Los Angeles 14 games to five. On a personnel note, the Angels all-world OF Mike Trout will miss this series. Meanwhile, Houston OF George Springer is listed as questionable for Thursday with a sore knee.
Friday’s Starting Arms
Andriese will be making his second appearance of this season and his first start since 2018. In his 2020 debut last Sunday he held Oakland scoreless on three hits through 5 2/3 innings of relief
Last year, pitching for Arizona, Andriese posted a 4.71 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP through 70 2/3 innings of relief work. This will be Andriese’s first action against Houston since a relief appearance two seasons ago in which he gave up three runs in less than three innings. McCullers is 1/1 on quality starts this season. Last Saturday, he held Seattle to two runs and five hits through six innings, with six strikeouts and three walks, in a 7-2 Astros win. Houston also covered against the run line that night at a price of -150. McCullers is coming back this season after missing all of last season recuperating from Tommy John surgery. This will be McCullers’s first action against the Angels since 2018 when over two starts, he allowed seven runs and ten hits through 10 1/3 innings. The Astros lost both those games.
Friday’s Batting Splits
Houston batted an ML-high .274 against right-handed pitching last season, along with an ML-high .349 team OBP and an ML-high .492 team slugging percentage. The Astros then scored 29 runs during their four-game series against Seattle last weekend but just four in the two games against the Dodgers.
The Angels batted .248/.323/.426 against RH pitching last season. Los Angeles only scored 11 runs in its four-game series at Oakland last weekend, then scored 22 in the three-game series vs. Seattle.
MLB Betting Trends
- Houston played 47-34 on the road last season.
- The Angels played 38-43 at home last season.
- Houston played 68-44 against right-handed starters last season.
- The Angels played 49-59 against RH starters last season.
Totals Report
- Overs are 3-2-1 in Astros games this season.
- Overs are 5-2 in Angels games this season.
- Totals split 39-39 in games played at Angels Stadium last season.
- Overs played 11-7 in Astros-Angels games last season.
- Get more details: Houston at LA Angels MLB Match-up Stats
