There are a pair of great divisional matchups going on in the American League on Thursday. The Los Angeles Angels are hosting the Houston Astros in an American League West romp, while the Chicago White Sox face the Minnesota Twins in an AL Central matchup. This betting guide will give some insight into the best bets based on trends going on between these teams.
Houston Astros (-175) vs Los Angeles Angels (+145)
The Astros have won four of their last five, while the Angels have dropped four in a row. Houston starter Framber Valdez has been sizzling lately, posting a 1.64 ERA and 1.00 WHIP (walks+hits per inning pitched) with 21 strikeouts over his last 22 innings. He went eight innings in his last start, as well. The Astros have also won four straight against the Angels, and Los Angeles hasn’t won one of Reid Detmers’ starts since May 10. This is a good spot to look at the Astros (-175) in this one.
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The total has gone under in Valdez’s last five starts against AL West opponents, and the under has gone 3-1-2 in Detmers’ last six starts. The Astros have gone under the total in there off their last five, while the Angels have gone over the total just once in their last seven games. This looks like another good spot to play the under (U8, -105).
Chicago White Sox (+140) vs Minnesota Twins (-165)
White Sox starter Johnny Cueto has been solid this season (2.91 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, but he was a little shaky in his lone start against the Twins in the campaign. He gave up a pair of runs off five hits and five walks in a 6-3 Minnesota win on July 4. Twins starter Sonny Gray has also been rocky lately, giving up eight earned runs over his last 16.2 innings pitched. Lean towards the Sox (+140) here.
The over has landed in three of Gray’s last four starts but has hit just twice in Cueto’s last seven outings. However, the total has gone 4-1-1 in the six previous meetings between these teams this season. Minnesota has lost four of their last five, but the offense has been there, as the over is 5-1-1 over the last seven Twins contests. Lean towards the over (O8.5, -115).
Odds via BetMGM
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