The Los Angeles Angels and the Houston Astros face off in MLB action on Friday at Minute Maid Park. We’ll look at it from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a prediction for the Houston Astros vs. LA Angels.

Meeting of the starting pitchers

The Los Angeles Angels will start Tyler Anderson here, and Anderson has a record of 10-13 with a 3.60 ERA and 136 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against Houston, Anderson has a record of 1-3 with a 5.74 ERA and 22 strikeouts. The Houston Astros will start Justin Verlander here, and Verlander has a record of 4-6 with a 5.20 ERA and 65 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Angels, Verlander has a record of 3-1 with a 4.33 ERA and 31 strikeouts.

Summary of the Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels will be looking to rebound in this game after starting the series with a 3-1 loss on Thursday. The loss put the Angels in early trouble as they try to build on their series win over the White Sox from earlier in the week.

Angels try to play spoilsport against rivals

Through Thursday, Taylor Ward has 135 hits along with 26 doubles, 24 home runs and 70 RBIs, while Zach Neto has 31 doubles, 21 home runs, 71 RBIs (team-high), 127 strikeouts and 30 stolen bases. Luis Rengifo also has 85 hits and 24 stolen bases, while Jo Adell also has 20 home runs, 62 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Logan O’Hoppe has 106 hits and Neto also has 127 hits, with O’Hoppe adding 19 home runs and 55 RBIs. Nolan Schanuel also has 126 hits with 18 doubles, 13 home runs and 52 RBIs.

Why the Los Angeles Angels will win

• The Astros, favorites against the Angels, have lost four of their last five games after a home win.
• The Angels have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Astros after losing on the road.
• The away team has covered the run line in nine of the last eleven games between the Angels and the Astros.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five home games against the Angels after winning.

Summary of the Houston Astros

The Houston Astros will look to keep the ball rolling after starting the series with a win on Thursday to turn things around after a loss to the Padres earlier in the week. The Astros will face the Mariners after that series.

Astros are getting closer to the division crown

Heading into Thursday’s game, Jose Altuve has 180 hits and a .305 batting average with 19 home runs, 63 RBIs and 28 doubles, while Yordan Alvarez also has 34 home runs with 85 RBIs and 32 doubles. Altuve is the Astros’ team leader with 22 stolen bases this season. Jeremy Pena also has 154 hits and a .268 batting average and 17 stolen bases this season. Alex Bregman has also contributed 23 home runs, 67 RBIs and 28 doubles.

Why the Houston Astros will win

• The Astros have won each of their last 13 Friday games against AL West opponents with a losing record.
• The Angels have lost their last six games against AL West opponents.
• The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last 10 Friday games against AL West opponents with a losing record.
• As underdogs, the Angels have failed to cover the run line in their last six games against AL West opponents.

Prediction for Houston Astros vs LA Angels

I’m on the Astros’ side here. I know Verlander hasn’t necessarily been at his best lately and that Anderson has been a pitcher who could provide some value to the Angels at some points. However, the Astros are just getting into playoff mode and a late win on Thursday shows that the Astros are just finding ways to get the job done this time of year. I’m on Houston’s side in this game.