Los Angeles Angels @ Houston Astros - April 13, 2025

Ah, the sweet smell of rivalry! The Los Angeles Angels and the Houston Astros are set to clash at Daikin Park on Sunday, and I can already feel the electric atmosphere buzzing. As a seasoned bettor, I’ve witnessed my fair share of ups and downs in this league, but when these two teams meet, anything can happen.

The Angels have been showing signs of life this season with a record of 9-5. They’ve won six out of their last seven games against the spread (ATS), which gives them an edge in terms of momentum. Plus, they’ve been putting up some impressive numbers at the plate—averaging over five runs per game and racking up more than eight hits. Their batting average may sit around .234, but they’re getting on base at an impressive clip with a slugging percentage over 75%. This tells me they’re not only able to put bat to ball but also capitalize on scoring opportunities.

On the mound for LA is Kyle Hendricks. While he has yet to notch a win this season with an ERA of 4.3, his stats suggest that he’s capable of keeping runs down; he averages around eight strikeouts per game. The key here is whether he can manage to keep the Astros’ lineup at bay long enough for his offense to work their magic.

Now let’s pivot over to Houston—the reigning champs have had a bumpy start with a 6-8 record and some troubling trends at home. They’ve lost four out of their last five games at home and are just 1-6 ATS in their last seven games there. Their batting has left something to be desired as well: averaging just over three runs per game with a rather dismal .202 batting average. With Hayden Wesneski taking the hill for Houston—who holds a record of 0-1 and an ERA hovering near 3.9—I’m curious about how he’ll perform under pressure today.

Despite recent struggles, I wouldn’t count out Houston entirely; after all, they’re known for turning it on when it counts most, especially against division rivals like LA. But considering how things have played out recently—especially that prior match where the Angels took them down 4-1—I’m leaning toward another upset here.

So what am I predicting? I’m betting on the Angels again tonight! The odds favor Houston as -161 moneyline favorites, but my gut says there’s value backing LA once more—they’re riding high right now and seem poised for another victory against their division foes.

As far as totals go? Given both teams’ recent offensive output and shaky pitching performances—particularly Kyle’s potential vulnerability—the OVER looks promising today too. With both teams likely trading blows in what should be an exciting matchup, I’d say we’ll see more than nine runs scored before all is said and done.

Remember folks: stick to your systems—but don’t forget those rituals! Good luck out there!