The Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels meet Friday in MLB action from Angel Stadium. This will be the second installment in a four-game weekend series featuring these teams. On Thursday in the opener, the Astros managed to take a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Houston had another solid run in 2021 but didn’t get quite to the top. The Astros went 95-67 overall for a first-place division finish but ultimately lost in the World Series. On Thursday in the first action of the 2022 season, Houston scored twice in the eighth inning and hung on for the 3-1 win.
For Friday’s game two, the Astros will send out Jake Odorizzi. Last season in 24 games, Odorizzi posted a 6-7 record with a 4.21 ERA. Odorozzi would manage 49 earned runs, 91 strikeouts and a 1.25 WHIP along the way.
Over on the Los Angeles side, their 2021 campaign was a disappointment. The Angels went just 77-85 for a fourth-place division finish and a seventh straight missed postseason. On Opening Day this year, LA had a tepid four hits and couldn’t find the scoreboard until the bottom of the eighth.
The Angels will roll with Patrick Sandoval on Friday in game two. Last season, Sandoval pitched in 17 games toward a 3.62 ERA and a 3-6 record. Sandoval’s 35 earned runs and 94 strikeouts came along with a 1.21 WHIP.
Houston is 49-22 in their last 71 Friday games and 2-5 in their last seven versus the AL West. The under is 5-1-1 in the Astros’ last seven overall.
Meanwhile, the Angels are 5-11 in the last 16 overall and 16-40 in their last 56 Friday games. LA is 2-10 in the last 12 at home.
PICK: I’m probably going to stay with Houston here. Odorizzi is going to need a good turnaround this year to get back toward his career numbers; he’s only got one winning season since 2017 and maintained a slightly higher-than-average ERA in comparison to his career last season. The good news is that he should have a soft landing in his season debut here. The Angels have some big sticks in the lineup but nothing Odorizzi shouldn’t be able to handle a couple times through.