Free MLB Picks Today: Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6/4/23

Hot-hitting Alex Bregman will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Houston Astros (35-23) host the Los Angeles Angels (30-30) at Minute Maid Park on Sunday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the four-game series.

The Astros lead the series 3-0 after winning 9-6 on Saturday, their fifth straight head-to-head victory and fifth in six games this season. Starter Cristian Javier went six innings for the win, allowing one run on six hits.

Bregman went 1 for 1 with a home run and four RBIs, walking four times, in the win. Chas McCormick added a home run and a double. He drove in two runs.

Shohei Ohtani was 4 for 5 with a triple and a double for the Angels. He scored two runs and had two RBIs. Luis Rengifo went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs.

ON THE MOUND

Griffin Canning (4-2, 4.89 ERA) is set to start for Los Angeles. The right-hander allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 6-4 home win over the White Sox on Monday.

He got the win, giving up six hits while striking out nine. Canning has made one previous start against the Astros this season, a 5-4 home loss on May 10.

He surrendered five runs on five hits over 3.2 innings, striking out three and walking one. For Houston, RHP J.P. France (1-1, 4.00 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Angels.

In his last start on Monday, France took a no-decision at home against the Twins. He threw six innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out eight and walking three in the 7-5 loss.

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 France this season, the Halos have a .748 OPS. Ohtani is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .910 OPS in 164 at-bats.

Houston is averaging 5.4 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.6 for the season. The ‘Stros have a .701 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .958 OPS over 115 at-bats, Yordan Alvarez has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Los Angeles is 15-17 away from Angel Stadium of Anaheim in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Houston has gone 18-13 at their home park this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. In the last 10 games between the AL West rivals at Minute Maid Park, Houston is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.8-3.3.

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.