Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros Betting Preview/Prop Picks

AL West rivals collide on Monday night in Houston as the Astros host the Los Angeles Angels. Both teams have gotten off to solid starts in 2022, and this should be a battle when these teams face off all year.

Los Angeles comes into this game having won three straight games, and all three were on the road in Texas. The Angels are now 6-4 on the year, and they look like a playoff contender this season. 

Houston has gone just 1-3 in their last four games, but all of those matchups were on the road. The Astros are always a tough team to deal with at home, and they will look to turn things around in Houston.

The Houston Astros are the betting favorites in this game at -156 on the moneyline over the Los Angeles Angels.

Angels Can Mash

The Los Angeles Angels have been on a tear at the plate during this recent winning streak, and that lineup is loaded with sluggers. Los Angeles already has 15 home runs this season through 10 games. 

Shohei Ohtani got off to a slow start in 2022, but he has been heating up in a hurry. Ohtani has now blasted three home runs, but he has gotten plenty of protection in the everyday batting lineup as well. 

Michael Lorenzen takes the ball in this game, and he is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA to begin the year.

Houston Has Some Arms

The Houston Astros have a team ERA of just 3.22 this season, and they have a pitching staff that can dominate opponents. That pitching staff did struggle in the most recent series, but playing at home should give them a better chance to get outs.

Luis Garcia will make his second start of the season on Monday night, and he went four innings without giving up a run in his season debut. Houston has a loaded bullpen as well, and Garcia just needs to keep this game close. 

Alex Bregman leads this Astros team with two home runs and seven RBIs, and he will need to step up on Monday. Several of the Astros hitters have been slumping of late, but there is some thunder in this lineup.

Angels Win In Houston

Most baseball experts feel that these two teams will be battling it out for the AL West crown all season long, but Los Angeles has more to prove. Houston has been the clear leader of this division for the last few years, and the Angels will be looking to make a statement on Monday night. 

The Angels have been on an offensive tear of late, and they aren’t facing one of the best pitchers for the Astros in this game. Houston has not been playing great baseball of late, and that slide is going to continue in this game. 

Los Angeles won’t dominate this entire series, but they are the better team in the series opener. Bet the Los Angeles Angels moneyline as they head into Houston and begin the series by picking up an impressive win over the Astros.

Prop Picks

Houston (+100) UNDER 4.5 Runs

The Astros are averaging 3.56 runs on offense, which ranks No. 23 in the league, while hitting .208 as a team, which ranks No. 24. Scores have gone UNDER in four of Houston’s last five games versus the LA Angels.

With Dunkel predicting an Angels’ victory by the score of 4-3, take the Astros (+100) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 4.5 runs against LA.

Luis Garcia (-155) OVER 4.5 Strikeouts

The Angels are averaging 9.71 strikeouts per game on offense, which ranks No. 24 in the league.  Garcia averaged 9.71 strikeouts per 9 innings last year for the Astros, which ranked No. 17 in the league.

With Dunkel predicting the final score finishing UNDER the Vegas total, take Garcia (-155) to put together a solid outing and finish OVER 4.5 strikeouts versus the Angels.

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