Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros Prediction & Betting Tips - MLB

Prediction published on 14/07/2022, 02:08  by Joseph King | Modified on 14/07/2022 at 09:08 in MLB Prediction

Thursday in Major League Baseball sees an AL West matchup when the Los Angeles Angels host the Houston Astros for the third and final game of a three-game series. The Astros hold a convincing 11 game lead atop the division with their 57-30 record which also gives them the second best record in the conference, trailing only the New York Yankees. The Angels haven’t had the same success this season and sit second from bottom in the division with a record of 39-50. Los Angeles did however bounce back with a 7-1  win in the second game of the series against Houston after the Astros took the first game 6-5. The win was only the second in the last 10 games for the Angels while the loss for Houston was only their third in the last 10. 

Framber Valdez takes the mound for the Astros and will look to continue his very strong form this season. The 28-year-old lefty is 8-4 on the year with a 2.64 ERA in 17 starts so far. Valdez has been impressive as of late, going eight innings in his last appearance while only giving up two earned runs on four hits. Over his last three starts, Valdez has only allowed four total earned runs on 14 hits with 21 strikeouts in 22 total innings of work. For the Angels, Reid Detmers gets the start with the 23-year-old looking to improve on his 2-3 record with 4.22 ERA on the season. Detmers, also a left-handed pitcher, had a solid six inning, two hit shutout with seven strikeouts in his last appearance and will look to build upon that positive momentum. His problem here though will be coming up against an Astros lineup that has been crushing lefties in the last 30 days.