Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Game 1 – 9/5/20 MLB Pick, Odds, and Prediction

The Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels meet Saturday in MLB action from Angel Stadium. 

This will be game one of a Saturday doubleheader between these teams, and the second game of a four-game weekend set. In the series opener on Friday, the Angels jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings, but Houston managed to tie it up with three runs in the top of the ninth. The game went to extras, and eventually the Angels walked off 6-5. Check back all season long for free MLB picks and MLB predictions at Sports Chat Place. 

The Astros couldn’t really get their offense working after an early deficit on Friday, but picked things up in the later innings. Starter Lance McCullers had a rough game with his two hits, three earned, three walks and no outs recorded.

For the Saturday game one start, Houston will send Brandon Bielak to the mound. This is Bielak’s first MLB season, and over seven games (five starts) so far, he’s logged a 3-2 record with a 5.40 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 23.1 innings of work.
Over on the Angels’ side, they got a nice two-run homer from Mike Trout in the first inning on Friday, setting the tone for the game. Starting pitcher Dylan Bundy went 7.0 innings with six hits, two earned, one walk and eight strikeouts in that one. 

In the game one starting role Saturday, the Angels will roll with Griffin Canning. In seven starts this season, Canning is 0-3 with a 4.04 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 35.2 innings. On his MLB career, Canning is 5-9 with a 4.43 ERA and 126 Ks in 126.0 innings total. 

The Astros are 4-0 in their last four opening games of a doubleheader and 5-1 in their last six during game two of a series. Houston is 43-15 in their last 58 Saturday games and 5-2 in their last seven games following a loss. 

Meanwhile, the Angels are 8-1 in their last nine opening games of a doubleheader and 16-33 in the last 49 versus the American League West. Los Angeles is 3-8 in their last 11 home games and 2-5 in their last seven games as a favorite. 

Pick: I like Houston here. Bielak had two bad outings in his last pair of appearances, giving up seven runs on four homers in just 1.1 innings August 22 versus the Padres, and also three runs in 0.2 innings versus the Angels on August 25. Prior to that, Bielak had a 1.69 ERA going. As for Canning, he’s coming off a great game Sunday with one run in eight innings and should pitch well here also. That said, I think Bielak will out-duel the opposition in game one and help get Houston in a nice spot to take a win. Should be a pretty fun game to watch all around.