Astros vs Angels Odds, Picks, and Probable Pitchers (Sep. 23)

• The Houston Astros are -195 favorites over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday (September 23rd, 9:38 pm ET)
• Houston will give the ball to Lance McCullers Jr. (12-4, 3.11 ERA), while LA will counter with Alex Cobb (8-3, 3.59 ERA)
• Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

The Houston Astros magic number to wrap up the AL West is down to three. Thanks to a 9-5 extra innings victory over the LA Angels on Wednesday, Houston is in an excellent position to wrap up its fourth division title in the last five years this weekend.

The Astros and Angels will play the final game of their four-game set on Thursday (September 23rd), with Houston looking to complete the sweep.

Astros vs Angels Odds

Odds as of  September 22nd at DraftKings.

The Astros opened up as -195 moneyline favorites, in a game that features a total of 8.5. First pitch is scheduled for 9:38 pm ET at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, with clear skies and 64 degree temperatures in the forecast.

Probable Pitchers

Houston will give the ball to Lance McCullers, who’s been extremely effective in four straight starts. He’s allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of those outings, striking out at least seven in three straight. Last time out he whiffed eight Diamondbacks over six innings, scattering seven hits and yielding two earned runs.

Lance McCullers, White Castle Special. 🤮🍔🍔🍔 pic.twitter.com/SvwBHlXGUz

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 19, 2021

The start prior was against this same Angels team, and it was a gem. McCullers gave up only three hits and one run over six innings, striking out seven in a 3-1 victory. He’s 2-1 in four starts versus LA this season, posting a 2.10 ERA, and limiting the Halos to a .169 batting average.

McCullers Jr. vs Cobb

The Angels will counter with Alex Cobb, who’s having a fantastic season after three straight miserable years in Baltimore. The 33-year-old has allowed one earned run or less in five straight starts, and was flawless in his last outing against the Chicago White Sox. Fresh off a stint on the injured list, Cobb shutout Chicago over five innings, striking out five and scattering two hits.

Alex Cobb will be an interesting FA this offseason

He has a career-best 25.8 K% in 2021 and his FIP is nearly a full run lower than his ERA (3.59 vs 2.60)

He could take another step forward pitching in front of better defense and throwing more splitters
https://t.co/8FTxuD7jHp

— James Schiano (@James_Schiano) September 21, 2021

He’s won five of his past seven decisions, with his only two losses coming against the AL East leading Tampa Bay Rays.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

He does however, have a rocky history against the Astros and this year is no exception. Cobb is 1-3 in four career starts versus Houston, with an 8.50 ERA. In his lone start against them this season, he coughed up six hits and five runs in only 2.2 innings, in an 8-2 defeat.

Astros vs Angels Pick

It’s no secret the Astros boast one of the best lineups in baseball, leading the league in runs, hits, batting average, OBP, and OPS+, but they’ve been especially hot lately.

Over the past two weeks, they’re batting .300 as a team, with a .512 slugging percentage and .885 OPS. They’ve plated at least seven runs in four straight (all wins), and have outscored LA 44-18 over six meetings this month.

Yordan just destroyed this baseball.#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/xh6abIqZqI

— Houston Astros (@astros) September 23, 2021

They have a phenomenal track record against Cobb, and appear to be peaking at precisely the right time with the playoffs right around the corner. Expect another strong offensive output on Thursday.

Pick: Houston Astros Over 4.5 Runs (-135)