Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels 5/8/2023 Analysis, Odds and Free Picks
The Houston Astros are set to face the Los Angeles Angels in a game on Monday, May 8, 2023, at 9:38 PM ET. In their recent game against the Mariners, the Astros were cruising with a 3-0 lead until the eighth inning when they gave up seven runs and ultimately lost 7-5. They lost the rubber game on Sunday, but it wasn’t solely the fault of their offense. So far this season, Houston’s batting has been lackluster compared to their pitching. They rank in the middle of the league in terms of runs per game and have only hit 30 home runs in 34 games, putting them in the bottom of the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and home runs. The Astros are also in the top 10 in strikeout rate but in the bottom 10 in walk rate. Fortunately, the team will receive reinforcements with Chas McCormick and Michael Brantley set to return this week, and Jose Altuve expected to come back by the end of the month.
On the mound, the Astros have had the second-lowest ERA in the league, thanks in part to their solid defense. The bullpen is also strong, with top-10 ERA and FIP ratings, and only one other team has a higher strikeout rate. This makes the Astros’ bullpen nearly impenetrable.
- Houston is 9-3 SU in their last 12 meetings with the Los Angeles Angels.
- The Houston Astros are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games on the road.
- The Astros are 13-5 SU in their last 18 games on the road against LA Angels.
Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels 5/8/2023 Analysis, Odds and Free Picks
The Angels lost the series opener against the Rangers after their pitchers gave up 26 runs in the next two games. They had a 3-0 lead on Sunday, but it was quickly erased. Patrick Sandoval will try to calm down an Angels staff that has a mediocre ERA.
The Angels’ offense has been great thanks to Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. They have the fifth-most homers and the seventh-most runs in the league. They also strike out less than most teams and rank seventh in both average and OBP. Trout, Ohtani, and Walsh have been their best hitters with at least a .800 OPS, seven homers, and 20 RBIs each.
- The total went OVER in 5 of the Los Angeles Angels’ last 7 games at home.
- The LA Angels are 5-13 SU in their last 18 games at home against Houston.
- The total hung OVER in 5 of the Angels’ last 7 games against an opponent in the American League.
Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels. The MLB pick for this game is the Los Angeles Angels. In the previous season, Sandoval had some difficulty facing the Astros, but this time around, the Houston lineup isn’t as formidable. Furthermore, Los Angeles’ batting order has improved significantly, and their bullpen is now capable of matching up against any team’s. While Hunter Brown has had a successful season, especially on the road, facing the Angels will be a challenging task for the rookie pitcher. In this game, the Angels boast a stronger batting lineup than the Astros. The starting pitchers are expected to have a tough battle, and both bullpens are evenly matched. The predicted outcome of the game is a 6-3 victory for the Angels.
MLB Starting Time: 9:38 PM ET
Location: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, CA
Date: Monday, May 8, 2023
TV: ESP+
MLB Odds: Houston Astros -121
MLB Totals: 8.5
