Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Houston Astros 9/4/22

The Houston Astros (85-48) are on the road to face theLos Angeles Angels (58-75) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Sunday with the three-game series knotted at 1-1.The Angels leveled the series 1-1 after winning 2-1 in 12 innings on Saturday, their fifth head-to-head victory in 15 games this season. Ryan Tepera threw one scoreless inning out of the bullpen to get the win.Matt Duffy went 1 for 2 with one RBI in the win. Trey Mancini was 1 for 4 with a double and one run for the Astros.

ON THE MOUND

Jose Urquidy (12-5, 3.69 ERA) is in line to get the start for Houston. The right-hander is tied for fifth in the AL in wins. Urquidy allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 3-1 road defeat against the Orioles on August 27. He took the loss, scattering four hits while striking out five and walking three.Over two previous starts against the Angels this season, Urquidy has allowed only two earned runs over 11 innings (2-0, 1.64). He has struck out 10 and walked three.For Los Angeles, southpaw Tucker Davidson (2-4, 5.77 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Astros. In his last start on August 28, Davidson took a no-decision on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw four innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out five and walking five in the 8-3 win.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Houston has averaged only 3.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.5, while slashing worse across the board (.225/.309/.318). Against southpaws like Davidson this season, the ‘Stros have a .761 OPS. Jose Altuve is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a 1.063 OPS in 111 at-bats.Los Angeles is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 3.8 for the season. The Halos have a .688 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .947 OPS over 305 at-bats, Shohei Ohtani has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Houston is 42-28 away from Minute Maid Park in 2022, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 3.4 runs. Los Angeles has gone 29-38 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. Houston is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim between the AL West rivals with an average scoreline of 3.7-3.1.