MLB Sunday Night Baseball Preview: Astros vs. Angels odds, predictions and best bets
On Sunday, July 16th, the Los Angeles Angels host the Houston Astros for a little Sunday Night Baseball. In addition to giving out best bets and player props this year, we’ll also regularly be diving into MLB’s Sunday night game of the week. We know there will be a lot of eyeballs on these matchups, and we want to make sure you know what you’re getting into in these games. So, keep reading to see how we’re playing this one!
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MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on July 16
Astros vs. Angels betting odds
Astros -130 / Total: 10
For updated odds, check out our VSiN MLB Odds page!
Astros vs. Angels Side Analysis
Tyler Anderson isn’t the greatest pitcher in the world, but it’s hard not to give him the edge over Cristian Javier right now. Anderson has given up three or fewer earned runs in each of his last four starts. The lefty doesn’t work very deep in games, but he gives Los Angeles’ offense a chance to win when he’s out there. And that should be enough in this meeting with Houston tonight.
It’s just hard to put into words how miserable Javier has been lately. The righty had a 2.90 ERA after 6.0 innings of shutout ball on June 15th. But his last three starts have brought that number up to 4.34. Javier has allowed a total of 18 earned runs in his last 10.2 innings on the hill, and that doesn’t feel like something you can just shake off. Now, Javier faces a Los Angeles offense that is one of the bests in the league against right-handed pitching. With that in mind, it’s hard not to like the Angels as a plus-money play here.
Shohei Ohtani could be the one to help Los Angeles win this game, which wouldn’t be all that surprising. Ohtani has been the best player in baseball for years now, but this is also a matchup that has been kind to him. He’s 6 for 19 with two doubles, two homers and five RBIs against Javier in his career.
Astros vs. Angels Total Analysis
The total on this game opened at 9 and is now all the way up to 10. Naturally, a lot of bets have come in on the Over, and that does feel like the right call here. Neither one of these pitchers can be counted on to go out and shut the opponent down in this spot, so why not back the Over?
Coming into this game, Javier has allowed a miserable 14 earned runs over his last two starts. He has now given up at least four earned in four of his last five outings, making it hard to believe he’ll completely shut things down against the Angels — even if they are a bit banged up. Meanwhile, Anderson’s ERA is up at 5.25 this season. The lefty is now facing an Astros lineup that is tied for seventh in the league in wRC+ against lefties.
Overall, it just doesn’t feel like there’s much preventing either team from scoring some runs in this game.
Astros vs. Angels Best Bet
The Over is 13-4 in the 17 games that Javier has started this season, and the righty now faces an Angels team that is tied for fourth in MLB in wRC+ against right-handed pitching this year. When you combine that with Los Angeles having a mediocre starter on the mound, the best thing you can do is just play the Over and hope for a high-scoring game.
Pick: Over 10 (-105)
