Houston Astros (88-61) vs. Los Angeles Angels (72-77)
September 21, 2021 9:38 pm EDT
The Line: Los Angeles Angels +160 / Houston Astros -222; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels meet Tuesday in MLB action from Angel Stadium. This will be the second installment in a four-game series this week. In the Monday opener, Houston posted a big win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Houston played the Diamondbacks over the weekend, losing Saturday but otherwise taking the remaining pair to win the series. On Monday versus the Angels, Houston scored eight in the final two frames during a 10-0 shutout victory. Framber Valdez lasted 7.0 innings with no earned, six hits, three walks and three Ks.
For the starter gig in the Tuesday game two, the Astros will send out Jose Urquidy. This year Urquidy is 7-3 with a 3.38 ERA and 78 strikeouts.
Over on the Angels’ side, they couldn’t do anything against the A’s over the weekend and lost in a three-game sweep. On Monday, Los Angeles gave up 17 hits in the defeat. Starter Jaime Barria put up 5.1 innings with two earned on 10 hits.
Starting pitcher for the Angels on Tuesday will be Packy Naughton. Over five games (three starts) this year, Naughton has an 0-2 record with a 4.32 ERA and 11 Ks in 16.2 innings.
The Astros are 11-4 in their last 15 Tuesday games and 37-17 in their last 54 versus the AL West. Houston is 1-5 in their last six in game two of a series as well.
Meanwhile, the Angels are 4-1 in their last five Tuesday games and 5-2 in their last seven in game two of a series. The over is 4-1 in LA’s last five Tuesday games and the under is 4-1 in the last five in game two of a series.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Astros. Naughton has been up and down over his last three games, posting a total of seven earned on 14 hits and five walks across 11.1 innings of work in that span. Naughton had a good outing in San Diego (5.0 innings; no earned) but couldn’t keep it going in his last start versus the White Sox (2.2 innings; four earned). Houston should have some early opportunities to plate runs in this one.
