The Houston Astros (43-32) and the Los Angeles Angels (36-38) open a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Angel Stadium in Anaheim is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Astros vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Astros lead 2-1
The Astros split 4 games at the A’s, wrapping up the series with a 6-4 loss in 10 innings as -139 favorites Thursday with the Over (9.5) cashing. Houston erased a 4-1 eighth-inning deficit to force extras in the finale, but RP Josh Hader gave up a 2-run homer to A’s 1B Nick Kurtz in the 10th.
The Angels took 3 of 4 at the New York Yankees, but failed to complete the sweep, losing 7-3 as +245 underdogs in Thursday’s finale with the Under (10.5) cashing. The Angels entered Thursday having allowed just 2 total runs to the Yankees in the first 3 games of the series, including shutouts in the first 2 contests. They began their 7-game road trip by getting swept in 3 games at the Baltimore Orioles from June 13-15.
Astros at Angels projected starters
RHP Hunter Brown vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
Brown (8-3, AL-best 1.88 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 0.93 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 11.0 K/9 through 86 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 12 K in 3-2 home victory vs. Minnesota Twins Saturday
- 2025 road stats: 4-2, 2.42 ERA (48 1/3 IP, 13 ER), 1.01 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 8 starts
- 2024 vs. Angels: 1-1, 1.50 ERA (12 IP, 2 ER), 4 H, 7 BB, 10 K in 2 starts
- Career vs. Angels: 1-1, 3.31 ERA (16 1/3 IP, 6 ER), 13 H, 8 BB, 13 K in 3 starts
Kikuchi (2-6, 3.05 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.48 WHIP, 4.7 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 through 82 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER (5 R), 7 H, 2 BB, 10 K in 11-2 defeat at Orioles Sunday
- 2025 home stats: 2-1, 1.05 ERA (34 1/3 IP, 4 ER), 1.25 WHIP, 7.9 K/9 in 6 starts
- 2024 vs. Astros: 1 home start (July 3), no-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 9-2 home defeat with Toronto Blue Jays (was traded to Astros July 29)
- Career vs. Astros: 1-5, 6.00 ERA (66 IP, 44 ER), 1.61 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 in 14 starts
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Astros at Angels odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:03 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Angels +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (-105) | Angels +1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Astros at Angels picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 4, Angels 3
Houston (-170) has won each of Brown’s last 4 starts, while Los Angeles is 2-2 in Kikuchi’s last 4. The Astros will likely win Friday, but their ML price is too expensive.
PASS on the ML.
The Angels are 6-2 straight up in Kikuchi’s last 8 starts, with only 1 resulting in a multi-run loss. Kikuchi has been much better at home, posting a 1.05 ERA in 6 starts compared to a 4.47 ERA in 9 on the road.
While the Astros have won Brown’s last 4 starts, only 2 of his last 6 have been multi-run victories for Houston, including an extra-innings win by 2 runs. Houston is likely to win straight up, but without plus odds on its run line, the value lies in taking the Angels +1.5 (-125).
BET ANGELS +1.5 (-125).
Houston has scored 4 or fewer runs in 7 of its last 11 games, while Los Angeles has put up 3 or fewer runs in 4 of its last 5 games.
Both pitchers should help keep this game low-scoring — Brown has the lowest ERA in the AL, and Kikuchi has allowed just 2 runs in 24 innings across his last 4 home starts.
BET UNDER 8 (-110).
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