Astros vs. Angels Prediction: Lance McCullers Looks to Continue Dominance Against Los Angeles
By Peter Dewey
The Houston Astros have all but locked up the American League West division, but they have their sights set on the top spot in the American League with just a couple weeks to go.
Houston is only 2.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League, and it has a chance to gain some ground against the Los Angeles Angeles on Thursday night. The Astros are set as -165 favorites at WynnBET with the total set at 8.5 runs (the over is favored at -115 odds).
Houston will send Lance McCullers Jr. to the mound in this one against Alex Cobb. McCullers (12-4, 3.11 earned run average) and Cobb (8-3, 3.59 ERA) both have pitched well this season, but the Astros starter has dominated Los Angeles this season.
In four starts against the Angels this season, McCullers is 2-1 with a 2.10 ERA, allowing just 15 hits and six runs in 25.2 innings. He’s also struck out 29 batters. Outside of my pick for the game, taking the over (+115) McCullers’ strikeout prop, which is set at 7.5 is a solid play in this one.
The righty has struck out seven or more hitters in six of his last seven starts, and the Angels average 8.68 K’s per game, which is 17th in MLB.
Angels vs. Astros Prediction and Pick
The Astros haven’t fared as well in McCullers’ starts as his record suggests, as they are just 4-6 when he doesn’t record a decision, but I still like them to win this matchup.
Cobb allowed five runs (four earned) in 2.2 innings in his lone start against Houston this season, and the Astros league-best offense (5.43 runs per game) has been on fire as of late, averaging 9.67 runs over their last three matchups.
The Astros are playing for much more than the Angels, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, so I expect Houston to take advantage of an easier matchup tonight.
If you really believe in McCullers to pitch another gem against Los Angeles, the under (-105) on the total of 8.5 runs isn’t a bad play as well.
What’s your pick for tonight’s Angels-Astros game? Get in the action at WynnBET.