It’s double-duty day for reigning American League MVP Shohei Ohtani, who is slated to take the mound and man the designated hitter spot for the Angels in the rubber match of a three-game series in Houston. A check of the Wednesday MLB odds board reveals Ohtani as a solid road favorite. But recent history suggests the Japanese star could be in for a rough night.
Los Angeles is on a roll (6-2 last eight games), while the Astros are struggling (especially on offense). And both teams likely will have to go to battle Wednesday without a former AL MVP/perennial All-Star in the lineup.
Props.com breaks down Angels vs Astros odds and ends in our betting preview for Wednesday’s top AL matchup.
Odds via PointsBet USA and updated as of 5:45 p.m. ET on April 20.
Los Angeles Angels (7-5) vs Houston Astros (6-5)
First Pitch/TV: 6:40 p.m. ET/MLB.TV
Moneyline: Angels -121/Astros +100
Run Line: Angels -1.5 (+140)/Astros +1.5 (-165)
Total: 9 (Over -115/Under -105)
Pitching matchup: RHP Shohei Ohtani (0-2, 7.56 ERA, 1.56 WHIP) vs. RHP Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 6.48 ERA, 2.04 WHIP)
Season series: Houston leads 4-2 (3-1 on the road; 1-1 at home)
Did you know: The visiting team has won seven of the last 10 meetings in this rivalry. Also, 17 of the last 18 head-to-head battles — including the last six in a row — have been decided by multiple runs.
About the Angels
Hits & Misses: Playing its second straight game without injured center fielder Mike Trout (hand), Los Angeles pounded out 13 hits Tuesday en route to a 7-2 victory in the second game of a three-game series in Houston. On the downside, Ohtani (0-for-4) had his eight-game hitting streak snapped. The reigning AL MVP — and preseason 2022 AL MVP frontrunner — is batting just .216 with three homers, seven RBI and 17 strikeouts in 51 at-bats. The Angels, who lost Monday’s series opener 8-3, are 6-2 in their last eight games and tied with Oakland for first in the AL West. Four of Los Angeles’ five losses have come to Houston.
On the Mound: Ohtani got roughed up in Texas on Thursday, giving up six runs on six hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. He pitched 4.2 innings in his 2022 debut at home against the Astros on April 7. In that outing, he yielded one run on four hits and one walk. The right-hander does have 14 strikeouts in just 8.1 innings on the bump. Going back to late August, Ohtani has developed a stark home/road split. He’s allowed six runs across 26.2 innings in four home starts (2.03 ERA), but 16 runs across 12 innings in three road outings (12.00 ERA). Ohtani is 0-3 with a 5.92 ERA in six career starts vs. the Astros (0-2/6.50 ERA in four starts in Houston).
Key injuries: Trout, who was hit on the hand with a pitch Sunday in Texas, has been ruled out for a third straight game. SS David Fletcher (hip) is on the injured list but expected back before the end of the month.
About the Astros
Hits & Misses: Houston has alternated wins and losses in its last five games and is just 2-4 in its last six. The Astros’ offense, which was without 2B Jose Altuve (hamstring strain) in Tuesday’s loss (see injuries), continues to scuffle. The Astros have scored four runs or fewer in nine of 11 games, including three runs or fewer seven times. Houston ranks 24th in MLB in team batting (.212) and 22nd in runs per game (3.73).
On the Mound: Odorizzi got a no-decision in Houston’s 13-6 victory at the Angels on April 8, giving up two runs in four innings. On Friday in Seattle, he yielded four runs, eight hits and three walks in 4.1 innings of an 11-1 loss. Despite that poor outing, the veteran right-hander still has surrendered two runs or fewer in seven of his last nine starts dating to August 2021. Odorizzi has just three strikeouts in his 8.1 innings of work. He’s 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in nine career starts against the Angels, with that one victory coming 12 days ago.
Key injuries: Altuve, who is batting just .167 with a home run and three RBI early on, was placed on the 10-day IL Wednesday afternoon.
Notable Trends
- Los Angeles is 0-5 in Ohtani’s last five starts overall
- Los Angeles is 0-5 in Ohtani’s last five starts vs. Houston
- Houston is 6-3 in Odorizzi’s last nine starts overall (3-0 at home)
- Los Angeles is 5-1 in its last six as a favorite
- Houston is 2-6 in its last eight as an underdog
- Over is 8-1-2 in Los Angeles’ last 11 road games (5-0-1 this season)
- Under is 12-3 in Houston’s last 15 as a home underdog
- Houston is 73-38 against the Angels since the start of the 2016 season
- Over is 21-10 in the last 31 series meetings overall (15-5 last 20 in Houston)
Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros Odds and Action
UPDATE 5:45 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: The Angels were holding steady at -125 at PointsBet USA until minutes ago when the moneyline dipped to -121. The Astros, who were +105 on the take-back, are now +100. Los Angeles is taking a modest-majority of action on the moneyline at 65% tickets/68% money. The total, however, has ticked up a half-run from 8.5 (Over -120) to 9, with the juice just shifting from -110 both ways to Under -115. While only 52% of wagers at PointsBet are on the Over, 66% of the cash is banking on a high-scoring game.
UPDATE 12:45 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Ohtani and the Angels were installed as a -145 favorite late Tuesday night at PointsBet USA. The line quickly ticked down to -141, dropped to -135 early this morning, then made two more trips south — first to -130 and now -125. Houston is +105 on the take-back. The total opened 8.5 (Over -115), and there have since been several juice adjustments, from -110 both sides back to Over -115 and now Over -120.
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