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Astros vs. Angels Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, July 13 (Shohei Ohtani Pitching Makes L.A. Surprise Favorite)

By Ben Heisler

Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has not allowed an earned run since June 9, giving up just one run over his last 33.2 innings.
Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has not allowed an earned run since June 9, giving up just one run over his last 33.2 innings. / Michael Reaves/GettyImages
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If I told you that one team was 28 games over .500, including 13 games over .500 on the road and in first place in the division, would you be surprised to see them listed as an underdog vs. a fourth-place team 12 games under .500 with a losing record at home?

That's the case tonight as the Los Angeles Angels send AL MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani to the mound against the AL West leading Houston Astros in Anaheim.

The Halos are horrible; going 1-9 over their last 10 games and 11-37 since May 24. They'll face Astros right-hander Cristian Javier, who's also been terrific all season.

Is Ohtani on his own enough to warrant the Angels listed as a favorite? Before we dive in, let's get the latest odds for tonight's showdown in Anaheim via WynnBET Sportsbook.

Astros vs. Angels Odds, Spread and Total

Run Line:

  • Astros +1.5 (-210)
  • Angels -1.5 (+170)

Moneyline:

  • Astros +109
  • Angels -119

Total:

  • 7 (OVER -115 | UNDER -105)

Astros vs. Angels Prediction and Pick

Put me down on the record as saying that Ohtani is deserving of the AL MVP for the second consecutive year, but I'm still taking the better team with a very good pitcher to prevail as a short road dog.

Ohtani's been magnificent. He hasn't allowed an earned run in his last four starts, while only giving up one earned run over his last five starts in 33.2 innings.

You know who else has been terrific? Cristian Javier. The 25-year old Astros right-hander has a K/9 right up with Ohtani (12.33 to 12.29), while pitching to a 3.01 ERA and expected ERA (xERA) of 2.47; better than Ohtani (2.62).

If Javier hadn't gotten lit up by an awful Royals team his last time out; coughing up five earned runs, including three home runs in just five innings, I don't think we'd see the Angels as favorites even with Ohtani pitching.

I definitely consider the under to be in play, but with the Angels' struggling bullpen, I don't know if I fully trust it. It's also so low that any level of variance could throw it all away quickly.

Ultimately, it's two very similar pitchers going head-to-head, with the kicker being Houston's superiority and great price as an underdog.

LEAN: Astros ML +109

Follow all of Ben's betting plays in real-time HERE

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