The Los Angeles Angels (57-74), one of the least productive lineups in the American League, are set to host the Houston Astros (84-47) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. The Astros are coming off a two-game sweep of the Rangers, taking the finale 5-3 on Wednesday at Globe Life Field for their third straight win. Jose Altuve was 2 for 3 with a double, two runs, and two RBIs. David Hensley went 3 for 4 with one run.The Angels are in the midst of a nine-game homestand. They won two of three against the Yankees in their last series, taking the finale 3-2 on Wednesday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Shohei Ohtani went 1 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Astros have won nine of 13 in the season series between the AL West rivals, including a 3-2 victory in 10 innings in their most recent meeting on July 14 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Ryan Pressly threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1, 1.69 ERA) is set for the start for Houston. The RHP threw five scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-0 road defeat against the Orioles on August 26. He scattered four hits while striking out two and walking three in the no-decision. McCullers Jr. is making his first appearance against the Angels this season. Over five starts against the Angels in 2021, McCullers Jr. was 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA over 31.2 innings. He had 34 strikeouts and 11 walks. Lefty Reid Detmers (5-4, 3.47 ERA) will take the mound for Los Angeles. He has made two appearances against the Astros this season, both starts, giving up four runs over 10 innings (0-0, 3.60) with nine strikeouts and five walks. In his last start on August 26, Detmers got the win on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw 5.1 scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out five and walking three in the 12-0 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Houston offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .245/.318/.423. Four Astros hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yordan Alvarez (.995). The left fielder is slashing .294/.398/.597 with 31 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 78 runs over 109 games. Over the last five games, however, Houston has averaged only 2.6 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.210/.291/.287). Against southpaws like Detmers this season, the ‘Stros have a .758 OPS. Altuve is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a 1.038 OPS in 108 at-bats. Los Angeles is slashing .228/.295/.382 for the season and averaging 3.8 runs per game, third lowest in the AL. Ohtani leads the team with ann .885 OPS. He has 30 home runs, 82 RBIs, and 75 runs scored with a slash line of .269/.360/.525. The Halos have a .691 OPS against righties in 2022. With a .943 OPS over 301 at-bats, Ohtani also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Houston is on a three-game winning streak away from Minute Maid Park, bringing their record to 41-27 in 2022. The ‘Stros have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.4 runs. Los Angeles has gone 28-37 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. Houston is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Angel Stadium of Anaheim with an average scoreline of 5.1-3.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros lead the AL West by 11 games over the Mariners. The Angels are fourth in the AL West, 27 games behind the Astros.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
