Astros vs. Angels Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 9/9/2022

Two of the league’s top power hitters meet Friday when the Houston Astros (88-49) and Los Angeles Angels (60-77) take the field at 8:10 PM ET. Yordan Alvarez has 31 home runs for the Astros (-230 favorites on the moneyline) while Shohei Ohtani has 33 homers this season for the Angels (+195). Los Angeles has not named a starting pitcher for this contest, while Houston is expected to send Lance McCullers Jr. to the mound.

Astros vs. Angels Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Astros vs. Angels

Our best bet is the Angels on the moneyline at +195 after looking at all of the key stats and trends for this matchup. Our computer predicts the total score will over the total of 8 runs.

Our computer pick: Los Angeles Angels (+195) and Over (8)

Astros vs. Angels Game Info

• Houston Astros probable starting pitcher: Lance McCullers Jr.
• Game Day: Friday, September 9, 2022
• Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Stadium: Minute Maid Park

Astros Starter Lance McCullers Jr.

• Lance McCullers Jr. gets the start for the Astros, his fifth of the season. He is 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 20 strikeouts through 21 2/3 innings pitched.
• The 28-year-old has put together a 2.08 ERA and 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings in four games this season, while giving up a batting average of .241 to opposing hitters.
• The opposing Angels offense has the 20th-ranked slugging percentage (.384) and ranks 10th in MLB play with 161 home runs. It has a collective .228 batting average, and is 25th in MLB with 1046 total hits and 25th in MLB action scoring 524 runs.
• McCullers has thrown 5 2/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits while striking out seven against the Angels this season.

Astros Betting Picks & Insights

• This season, the Astros have been favored 117 times and won 80, or 68.4%, of those games.
• Houston has entered 26 games this season favored by -230 or more and is 19-7 in those contests.
• Oddsmakers have implied with the moneyline set for this matchup that the Astros have a 69.7% chance to win.
• So far this season, Houston and its opponents have hit the over in 50 of their 138 games with a total.
• The Astros are 74-64-0 ATS in their 138 games with a spread this season.

Angels Betting Picks & Insights

• The Angels have been underdogs in 65 games this season and have come away with the win 20 times (30.8%) in those contests.
• Los Angeles has been listed as an underdog of +195 or more on two occasions this season and split those games.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Angels have a 33.9% chance of coming away with a victory in the contest.
• Los Angeles and its opponents have gone over the total this season in 61 of their 137 opportunities.
• The Angels have an against the spread record of 63-74-0 in 137 games with a line this season.

Astros Leaders & Batting Stats

• Alex Bregman has 34 doubles, 20 home runs and 76 walks while hitting .267.
• Bregman’s home runs rank him 49th in the majors, and he ranks 25th in RBI.
• Bregman brings a hitting streak of four games into this game. In his last five games he is hitting .250 with four walks and an RBI.
• Alvarez’s 31 home runs and .289 batting average both pace his team.
• Alvarez is 10th in home runs and 16th in RBI among all batters in the majors.
• Jose Altuve is hitting .287 with 33 doubles, 24 home runs and 57 walks.
• Kyle Tucker has collected 88 runs batted in to lead his team.
• Tucker is riding a four-game hitting streak into this one. In his last five games he is batting .278 with two home runs, two walks and four RBI.

Angels Leaders & Batting Stats

• Ohtani leads the Angels with 33 home runs and 86 runs batted in, while posting a team-high batting average of .267.
• Among all hitters in the majors, Ohtani’s home run total is fifth and his RBI tally ranks 13th.
• Mike Trout is hitting .278 with 19 doubles, two triples, 32 home runs and 44 walks.
• Trout is currently seventh in homers and 61st in RBI in the big leagues.
• Taylor Ward is hitting .261 with 15 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 53 walks.
• Luis Rengifo is batting .274 with 20 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs and 14 walks.