Astros vs Angels: Aces Wild in Anaheim

• Shohei Ohtani to start for Angels (4-0, 2.54 ERA)
• Framber Valdez to start for Astros (2-4, 2.60 ERA)
• Both teams trailing Texas Rangers in AL West standings

Astros vs Angels Odds

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Astros vs Angels Picks

• Under 7.5 (-110)

Astros vs Angels Predictions

The headliner in the Tuesday MLB slate this week is the showstopper of a matchup between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels. Both teams are sending their aces to the hill for this game, with Framber Valdez and Shohei Ohtani taking the mound for their respective clubs. As a result, this game has a big game feel, even if it is a matchup between two teams looking up at the Texas Rangers in the standings.

Houston Astros Predictions

The Houston Astros enter Tuesday night in fourth place in the AL West, sitting at 17-18 for the season. They have lost three games in a row, dropping the final two games of their three-game series with the Seattle Mariners before dropping their series opener to the Angels last night. Now, they turn to Framber Valdez in hopes of turning their losing streak around and getting back to the .500 mark.

For Valdez, the biggest question of late is going to be whether or not he will get the run support that he needs to win games. His numbers in terms of ERA are very similar to those of Ohtani, but Valdez has seen his team score two or fewer runs in three of the last four games he has started. Valdez has not been perfect by any means this season, but his team does need to help him out if he is going to have success.

So far this season, Houston ranks 15th in MLB in runs scored, with the absence of Jose Altuve being noticeable in their lineup. Yordan Alvarez has been productive when it comes to driving in runs, ranking third in the league with 32 RBI. But when one player is driving in more than 20% of a team’s runs, that speaks to a lack of depth that could be a problem against a pitcher as dynamic as Ohtani.

Los Angeles Angels Predictions

The Los Angeles Angels are in second place in the AL West entering Tuesday night, just two games back of the Texas Rangers. The Angels took the opening game of this series by a score of 6-4, with the Angels scoring two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 4-4 deadlock and win the game. Now, the Angels send their ace to the mound looking for a second straight win over the team that has dominated their division in recent seasons.

Shohei Ohtani ranks second in the AL Cy Young odds coming into his start on Tuesday night. He leads the American League in strikeouts going into this contest, as he has put 59 batters down on strikes for the year. Against a lineup like Houston’s that could break out at any moment, the ability of Ohtani to miss bats and avoid hard contact could be the difference in this marquee matchup.

Offensively, the Angels have been much more than just Mike Trout and Ohtani this year, as they rank fifth in the league in runs scored. Hunter Renfroe has been a revelation for the Halos, as he leads the team with nine home runs and 24 RBI. He and Gio Urshela have created a sense of balance in the Angels lineup that has not existed in a long time, and the Angels will aim to put that to use to get Valdez out of this game as early as they can.

How to Watch

• What: Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels
• When: Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 9:38 PM ET
• Where: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
• How to Watch: MLB.tv