Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros Prediction 7-14-23 MLB Picks

The Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels meet Friday in MLB action from Angel Stadium. The Astros last played the Mariners, posting two of three games over the weekend. As for the Angels, they played a pair versus the Dodgers a week ago, losing both. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Houston Astros

The Astros managed a 3-2 win over the Mariners on Saturday, but lost the other three games 5-1, 10-1 and 3-1 for a series defeat. Houston sits at 50-41 right now, in second place among AL West teams and 2.0 games behind the Rangers. 

For the starter gig on Friday, the Astros are going with JP France. This year in 11 starts (the first 11 of his career) France is 4-3 with a 3.26 ERA and 48 Ks in 66.1 innings. 

Los Angeles Angels 

Over on the Angels’ side, they fell to the Dodgers 11-4 on Friday and again 10-5 in the Saturday matchup last weekend. Los Angeles is currently 45-46 overall. That leaves the Angels just one spot above the basement in the AL West. 

Shohei Ohtani will take the mound for the Angels on Friday. In his 17 starts this year Ohtani is 7-4 with a 3.32 ERA and 132 Ks in 100.1 innings. Ohtani is 35-18 with a 3.04 ERA in 80 career starts. 

The Astros have hit the money line in 25 of their last 42 away games and the run line in 26 of their last 42 away games. Houston has hit the under in 38 of the last 68 games. 

Meanwhile, the Angels have hit the money line in 5 of their last 19 games and the run line in 38 of their last 87. LA has hit the under in 18 of their last 26 games. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll take a stab on the Angels here. The bad news is that Ohtani is coming off five earned runs in 5.0 innings during a road start versus San Diego his last time up. Ohtani is also just 1-2 in his last three starts overall. That said, he’d been pitching well before his most recent loss. In the two starts prior to that, Ohtani had just two earned in 13.1 innings combined on nine hits and four walks. Another quality start in this one and LA should be in striking distance for a W.