Angels Star Opens Baseball's 2nd Half vs. Astros

The MLB season resumes Friday and Shohei Ohtani - the heavy favorite to win AL MVP - will return to the mound as the Los Angeles Angels face the Houston Astros. Here are our Shohei Ohtani MLB player prop picks based on the best MLB odds from our best MLB betting sites.

What better way to start the second half of the MLB season than with AL MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani pulling double duty against the rival Houston Astros.

The Los Angeles Angels superstar set the baseball world ablaze with his performance prior to the All-Star break. Ohtani is the MLB home run leader and ranks fourth in pitching strikeouts and, as such, is -800 at DraftKings by the MLB MVP odds.

Despite his stardom, the fact the Angels are once again well back in the AL West race led several sportsbooks to post Shohei Ohtani's next team odds as rumors swirl around his name ahead of the MLB trade deadline.  

However, the last time we saw Ohtani on the mound, he was pulled in the sixth inning of his July 4 start due to blister issues. He was removed after giving up back-to-back home runs in an eventual 8-5 loss to the San Diego Padres.

Ohtani, the leading vote-getter, did not pitch in the MLB All-Star Game and also did not participate in the Home Run Derby. Are his blister issues behind him?

Here are our best Shohei Ohtani MLB player prop picks for Friday's Astros vs. Angels game (odds via DraftKings; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Shohei Ohtani MLB player prop picks

• Ohtani Over 6.5 strikeouts (-125 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Ohtani Over 0.5 walks (+100 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

Not intended for use in MA
Affiliate Disclosure: Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook

Shohei Ohtani MLB player prop predictions

Ohtani Over 6.5 strikeouts (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ohtani's strikeout odds opened at DraftKings and many other of our best sports betting sites with the Over/Under at 6.5. We took the Over when it opened at -110 we'd back it up to -150.

Angels manager Phil Nevin has no concerns firing up Ohtani 10 days after his blister issues, so we're happy to take the Over on this prop. A typical Ohtani start would garner an O/U of at least 7.5 strikeouts with heavy juice on the Over. Sportsbooks are clearly exercising caution due to the finger issues, so this represents a rare opportunity to take advantage of a lower line.

Ohtani recorded five strikeouts on 86 pitches in his last start, even with the finger discomfort. He posted double-digit punchouts in the two starts prior to July 4. 

The Astros rank 27th in strikeouts, but they'll be facing a rested and rejuvenated Ohtani.

Our Mike Spector is targeting an Ohtani pitcher-batter matchup in Friday's MLB Best Bets.

Ohtani Over 0.5 walks (+100 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

Turning to the plate, while Ohtani has posted absurd counting stats, he also possesses elite plate discipline. He's taken 48 walks this season, including 21 when he was setting the league afire from the plate during June.

He should get an opportunity to take a pitch against Astros starter J.P. France, who has issued 21 walks this season, including nine to left-handed batters despite limited at-bats.

Ohtani has walked in seven of the last nine games in which he's also been the Angels' starting pitcher.

Shohei Ohtani prop picks made 7/13/2023 at 2:35 p.m. ET.

Here are our best MLB betting sites:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.