La Angels Angels vs Houston Astros Picks and Predictions September 13th 2024

From Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, we have the Astros and Angels facing off in an AL West matchup. The Astros are the heavy favorite on the money line, with their odds sitting at -205 compared to the Angels at +171. The over/under line is currently 8.5 runs.

First pitch for this one is set for 9:38 PM ET, and BSW will be televising it. Houston is 78-68 and they lead the AL West, while the Angels are 60-86 and are 5th in the division. Samuel Aldegheri is starting for the Angels, and the Astros are going with Yusei Kikuchi.

Houston vs. Los Angeles Key Information

• Teams: Astros at Angels
• Where: Angel Stadium of Anaheim Anaheim
• Date: Friday, September 13th
• Betting Odds HOU -205 | LAA +171 O/U 8.5

The Astros Can Win If…

Yusei Kikuchi gets the start for the Astros today as he faces the Angels on the road. So far, he has made 29 starts and has a record of 8-9 with an ERA of 4.31. Kikuchi’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.25. In his 29 appearances, he has turned in nine quality starts and is averaging 10.51 strikeouts per nine innings. Kikuchi’s last outing came on September 7th, where he picked up the win, going six innings and giving up four earned runs. Before that, he had won two straight starts.

Yordan Alvarez has been the Astros’ most consistent hitter this season, as he is batting .311 with a league-leading 32 home runs and 80 RBIs. He has also been swinging a hot bat of late, going 9/26 in his last six games with two homers and seven RBIs. Jose Altuve has also been swinging a hot bat, going 11/22 in his last five games, including a home run.

As a team, the Astros are averaging 4.6 runs per game (12th) and are the league’s 3rd best hitting team with a combined batting average of .262. They have been even better at home, averaging 4.9 runs per game. Overall, the Astros are near the top of the league in most offensive categories, including on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.

Before placing any bets, ensure you review our comprehensive MLB Betting Guide to make informed decisions.

• The Astros are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Astros are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Houston has an over/under record of 7-3 in their last ten games.
• The Astros have an average of 6.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Astros are 3-7
• Looking back across the Astros last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Houston has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Astros have averaged 3.9 runs per game on offense

The Angels Can Win If…

Getting the start for the Angels is Samuel Aldegheri, who will be taking on the Astros at home. Aldegheri is coming off a win in his last outing vs. the Rangers, where he went 6 innings and struck out 7. He did give up 3 hits and 3 walks, but was able to limit the damage to just 1 earned run.

So far this season, the Angels have been one of the worst offensive teams in the league, as they are averaging just 3.9 runs per game, which is 27th in the league. They have been slightly better at home, averaging 4 runs per game. As a team, the Angels are batting just .229, and their team on-base percentage of .301 is also among the worst in the league.

Los Angeles will be looking for Taylor Ward and Zach Neto to continue their strong seasons, as Ward leads the team with 23 homers and is batting .248, while Neto is hitting .256 with 21 homers. Ward has been especially hot of late, going 8/22 in his last six games with two homers.

• The Angels are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Angels are 1-4 vs. the run line.
• Los Angeles has an over/under record of 5-4-1 in their last ten games.
• The Angels have an average of 4.6 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Angels are 3-7
• Looking back across the Angels last five games as the favorite, they are 1-4
• Los Angeles has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Angels have averaged 3.6 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For an over/under pick, our lean is on the over, as we have this Astros vs. Angels matchup as the 5th highest-scoring game of the day. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Astros to pick up the win. Houston comes into this one with the best team hits projection in the league and the 2nd best home runs projection.

usei Kikuchi Looks to Stay Unbeaten with Astros Against Angels

The Houston Astros are closing in on another AL West title, while the Los Angeles Angels are just trying to end the season with some dignity. As these two teams face off on Friday in Anaheim, Yusei Kikuchi will take the mound for the Astros, and Samuel Aldegheri will get the nod for the Angels. Both pitchers are set to make this series opener one to watch.

Astros Closing in on Another Division Title

The Houston Astros (78-68) have been dominating the AL West, holding a solid 4.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners. Earlier this season, the Astros were down by 10 games, but now they’re looking like the favorites to win the division for the fourth straight year—and for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.

Houston’s recent performance has been up and down. After a tough three-game losing streak, they pulled through with a 6-3 win against the Oakland A’s on Thursday, thanks to a clutch four-run eighth inning that broke a 2-2 tie. It wasn’t just a win—it was a confidence boost that the team needed to avoid being swept.

Jason Heyward, one of the newer faces in the Astros’ lineup, blasted his first home run with the team in that game. His experience and leadership will be crucial as the Astros push toward the playoffs, and his bat is heating up at just the right time.

You can always refer to the current MLB Odds to stay up to date with the latest betting lines.

Yusei Kikuchi’s Stellar Impact Since the Trade

Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31 ERA) has been lights-out since joining the Astros at the trade deadline. With a perfect 4-0 record and a 3.07 ERA in seven starts, Kikuchi has helped stabilize Houston’s rotation. Even better? The Astros have won every single game he’s started since the trade, which shows just how big of an impact he’s made.

However, it’s not all smooth sailing. Kikuchi has historically struggled against the Angels. Over 11 career appearances (nine starts), he’s got a 1-4 record and a bloated 9.99 ERA when facing them. Despite that rough track record, Kikuchi’s recent form suggests he might be able to turn it around and keep his unbeaten streak with Houston intact.

In his last outing, Kikuchi gave up four runs over six innings, but his teammates gave him plenty of run support as the Astros cruised to an 11-5 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Houston will be hoping for more of that offensive firepower on Friday to back up their ace.

Angels Enduring Another Rough Season

For the Los Angeles Angels (60-86), the 2023 season has been another year of frustration. After losing to the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, the Angels were officially knocked out of playoff contention—marking their 10th straight year without making it to October, which is currently the longest playoff drought in the league. On top of that, the Angels have locked in their ninth consecutive losing season, leading the majors in that unwanted category.

The Angels are also staring down another piece of bad history—they need to win at least eight of their remaining 16 games to avoid tying their franchise record for most losses in a season, which stands at 95.

Los Angeles is coming off a 6-4 loss to the Twins, wrapping up a three-game series. But with a day off on Thursday, they’ll be looking to hit the reset button before facing the division-leading Astros.

Samuel Aldegheri: A Bright Spot for the Future

If there’s one thing for Angels fans to be excited about, it’s Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45 ERA). The 22-year-old lefty from Italy has been a rare bright spot for the team this season. He made a splash on September 6 when he earned his first MLB win, giving up just one run over six innings in a 6-1 win against the Texas Rangers.

Aldegheri made history by becoming the first Italian-born pitcher to win a Major League game since 1949. He’s young, hungry, and ready to show what he can do. Friday’s game will be his third MLB start, and it’s his first crack at the Astros. While it’s a big test, it’ll also give Aldegheri some valuable experience as he continues to develop.

Astros Chasing Playoff Glory, Angels Playing Spoiler

For the Astros, this series is all about staying on top of the AL West and keeping the pressure on the Mariners. With the playoffs fast approaching, every win counts, and they’ll be looking to build momentum as they lock in their division title.

Meanwhile, the Angels are in full spoiler mode. With no playoff shot, all they have left is pride and the opportunity to make life difficult for their division rivals. Players like Aldegheri and other young talents will be trying to make a name for themselves and give the team something to build on for next season.

Key Storylines to Watch

Can Yusei Kikuchi Stay Unbeaten with the Astros?
Since joining Houston, Kikuchi has been flawless. But with a shaky history against the Angels, the question is whether he can keep up the momentum or if L.A. will finally get to him.

Will Aldegheri Shine Under Pressure?
Aldegheri’s first MLB win was impressive, but facing the Astros is a whole different ballgame. Can the young lefty step up and show he’s ready for the big stage?

Astros’ Playoff Push vs. Angels Playing Spoiler
The Astros are laser-focused on October, while the Angels are just trying to spoil their plans. It’ll be interesting to see if the Angels can put up a fight and derail Houston’s march toward another division title.

Conclusion

Friday night’s showdown between the Astros and Angels sets up an exciting matchup between two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum. The Astros are gunning for another postseason run, with Yusei Kikuchi looking to keep his undefeated streak with the team alive. On the other hand, the Angels are simply playing for pride, hoping young players like Samuel Aldegheri can shine in the spotlight and give the franchise hope for the future.

As the Astros work to secure their division lead, the Angels will be looking to play spoiler and show that, even in a rough season, they’ve got some fight left