Angels vs Astros Odds: Los Angeles’ Bold Deadline Stand Backfiring

The Houston Astros are a shoo-in to return to the MLB postseason. The Los Angeles Angels? Not so much.

With Los Angeles’ playoff fate hanging perilously in the balance, the American League West rivals will meet this weekend for a three-game set at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Houston is -1.5 (+115) on the run line for the series opener and -172 to win outright, with Los Angeles priced at +152. The projected total is 8.5 flat.

Read on as we break down both teams in our Angels vs Astros odds preview.

LA’s Bold Stance Backfiring?

The Los Angeles Angels are just 2-7 since the Aug. 1 trade deadline and have seen their playoff MLB odds plummet to +2000. At 58-58, they’re 10.5 games back in the American League West and 6.5 games out of the wild card. There are three teams between them and the third and final spot, complicating matters as they make a last-ditch effort for the postseason.

Los Angeles has already drawn criticism for its bold deadline stand. Rather than trade superstar Shohei Ohtani for a horde of prospects, the Angels doubled down. They swung multiple deals, acquiring pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the Chicago White Sox and hitters C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk from the Colorado Rockies.

Ohtani is sure to test free agency. The two-way sensation from Japan is having another great season. He is 10-5 with a 3.17 ERA on the mound and is tied with Atlanta’s Matt Olson for the MLB lead in home runs with 40. According to MLB player stats, Ohtani is also first in OPS (1.076) and fifth in RBI (83). As such, he is a -20000 lock to win his second AL MVP award. He is expected to fetch a record contract between $500 and $600 million this offseason.

Los Angeles hasn’t made the playoffs since 2014. That’s not expected to change at this current pace. The Angels are just 3-7 against the Houston Astros this season. Keep that in mind when analyzing the Angels vs Astros odds.

Astros Build at Deadline

Houston is still second in the AL West, 2.5 games behind the Texas Rangers (68-47). However, the Astros (66-50) are firmly in control of a wild card spot and remain among the favorites to defend their World Series title. They are a +325 co-favorite to win another pennant and have the best odds (+600) of any AL team to win the World Series. Only the Atlanta Braves (+325) and Los Angeles Dodgers (+450) have shorter odds across MLB. The 72-41 Braves currently have the most wins this MLB season.

The Astros are 7-3 over their last 10 games. They should only get stronger over the season’s final two months after fortifying their roster at the deadline, reacquiring three-time AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander from the New York Mets in exchange for two top prospects. In return, the Mets received outfielders Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford, the Astros’ No. 1 and No. 4 prospects, respectively, according to MLB Pipeline.

In his first start back with the Astros, last Saturday against the New York Yankees, the 40-year-old Verlander allowed two runs over seven innings in a 3-1 loss. After beginning the season on the injured list with a low-grade muscle strain near his pitching shoulder, Verlander saw his ERA drop each month: 4.80 in May, 3.33 in June, 1.69 in July.

Odds Outlook

Houston is 59-57 against the run line but just 25-31 at home. Conversely, the Angels are 55-61 ATS and 29-28 on the road. The Angels have hit the over at a 50% clip, while the Astros are a smidge behind at 49.6%. That is important to remember when assessing the Angels vs Astros odds.

Justin Verlander is 6-6 with a 3.11 ERA. This will be his first start as an Astro at Minute Mark Paid since Game 1 of last year’s World Series. He also faced the Astros there in June. The Angels will counter with Detmers, who is 2-8 with a 4.78 ERA. The southpaw matched a season-high by allowing seven runs in his last start, a 9-7 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 4.

This will be France’s first start since July 31, as Houston shifts back to a six-man rotation. France is 8-3 with a 2.75 ERA. The right-hander leads all AL rookies in ERA (minimum 75 innings), is tied for first in wins, and is second in quality starts. He opposes Anderson, who is 5-3 with a 4.92 ERA. The southpaw faced the Astros on July 16, allowing one run over three innings in a 9-8 loss.

This is only Urquidy’s second start since April 30. He missed more than three months with inflammation in his pitching shoulder. He has struggled, recording a 6.10 ERA in seven appearances. His counterpart, Silseth, struck out 12 and allowed two runs over seven innings in a 3-2, 10-inning loss to Seattle last Sunday. Silseth has 26 strikeouts in 17.2 innings since rejoining the rotation on July 19. For the season, he is 3-1 with a 3.72 ERA.

For MLB betting news, odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Rangers vs Giants Odds: First-Place Texas Looks to Withstand Losing Jung
• Yankees vs Marlins Betting Preview: Marlins Eyeing Third Win
• Guardians vs Rays Preview: Tampa Bay Remains AL Co-Favorite Despite Injuries
• You Can Bet The Padres or D’Backs Will Break Losing Streaks
• Patrick Sandoval Stats: Will Sandoval Keep The Angels Competitive in 2023?