The Los Angeles Angels (-130) are on the road to face the Houston Astros (+110) at Minute Maid Park on Saturday. The early total has been set at 8.5.
The Astros (34-23) lead the series 2-0 after winning 6-2 on Friday, their fourth straight head-to-head victory and fourth in five games this season. Framber Valdez threw seven scoreless innings – striking out seven – to get the win.
Yordan Alvarez’s on-base streak is now at 14 as he went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Chas McCormick went 3 for 4 with one run. Taylor Ward was 3 for 4 with one RBI for the Angels (30-29).
ON THE MOUND
Patrick Sandoval (3-4, 3.42 ERA) is in line to get the start for Los Angeles. The LHP allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 2-0 road defeat against the Marlins on Sunday.
He took the loss, scattering eight hits while striking out two and walking two. Sandoval has made one previous start against the Astros this season, a 6-4 home victory on May 8.
He surrendered four runs on seven hits over 6.1 innings, striking out two. For Houston, right-hander Cristian Javier (6-1, 2.97 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made one prior start against the Angels this season, giving up two runs over six innings in a 5-4 road win on May 10.
He gave up three hits and walked one, while striking out 11 in the win. In his last start on Sunday, Javier got the win on the road against the Athletics. He threw five innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out three and walking three in the 10-1 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Los Angeles has averaged 5.0 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.8. Against righties like Javier this season, the Halos have a .748 OPS. Shohei Ohtani is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .910 OPS in 164 at-bats.
Houston is averaging 4.6 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.5 for the season. The ‘Stros have a .734 OPS against southpaws in 2023. With a 1.002 OPS over 68 at-bats, Alvarez has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 15-16 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Houston has gone 17-13 at Minute Maid Park this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.7.
Houston is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the AL West rivals at Minute Maid Park with an average scoreline of 5.1-3.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Angels are fourth in the AL West, seven games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Astros are second in the AL West, two games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-185)
Want up to a $1K risk-free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information, and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
