Free MLB Picks Today: Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6/1/23

The Los Angeles Angels (30-27) will have their work cut out for them against Framber Valdez at Minute Maid Park on Thursday when the impressive left-hander takes the mound for the Houston Astros (32-23) to open a four-game series.

The Angels are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the White Sox, taking the finale 12-5 on Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Shohei Ohtani was 2 for 3 with two home runs, three runs, and four RBIs.

Taylor Ward added a home run, two runs, and two RBIs. The Astros are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Twins in their last series, dropping the finale 8-2 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Yainer Diaz went 1 for 2 with a solo home run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Astros have won two of three in the season series between the AL West rivals, including a 5-4 victory in their most recent meeting on May 10 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Cristian Javier went six innings for the win, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out 11, and Ryan Pressly pitched the ninth to earn his sixth save.

ON THE MOUND

Reid Detmers (0-4, 4.93 ERA) is slated to get the start for Los Angeles. The left-hander allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 6-2 road defeat against the Marlins on Friday. He was charged with the loss, scattering 10 hits while striking out five and walking two.

Detmers is making his first appearance against the Astros this season. Over three starts against the Astros in 2022, Detmers was 0-1 with a 5.02 ERA over 14.1 innings. He had 15 strikeouts and seven walks. For Houston, lefty Valdez (5-4, 2.45 ERA) gets the ball.

He has made one prior start against the Angels this season, giving up one run over eight innings in a 3-1 road win on May 9. He gave up three hits while striking out 12 in the win.

In his last start on Saturday, Valdez got the win on the road against the Athletics. He threw six innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out five and walking three in the 6-3 triumph. The lefty ranks fourth in the AL in ERA.

AT THE PLATE

The Los Angeles offense is averaging 4.9 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .258/.329/.430. Mike Trout leads the team in OPS at .891. The center fielder is slashing .278/.369/.522 with 13 home runs, 31 RBIs, and 36 runs over 53 games.

Against southpaws like Valdez this season, the Halos have an .801 OPS, fifth highest in MLB. Gio Urshela is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a .980 OPS in 43 at-bats. Houston is slashing .243/.315/.391 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game.

Yordan Alvarez leads the team with a .971 OPS. The left fielder has 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 35 runs scored with a slash line of .278/.392/.580.

Houston is averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five with a stronger slugging percentage (.509). The ‘Stros have a .728 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.023 OPS over 66 at-bats, Alvarez also has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Los Angeles is 15-14 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Houston has gone 15-13 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Houston is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at Minute Maid Park with an average scoreline of 5.1-3.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Angels are third in the AL West, six games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Astros are second in the AL West, three games behind the Rangers.