Could Friday night be the last-ever start on the mound for Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Angels? The trade deadline is approaching and the dual-threat superstar and AL MVP overwhelming favorite could be moved. The Angels come out of the break to host the Houston Astros behind Ohtani.

Nitrobetting checks out the game in this preview. Get a complete look at the game information, team and player statistics, and the latest MLB odds. We also deliver timely betting trends and predictions that help you secure the best picks.

Astros vs. Angels Game Information

An All-Star worthy screen #WallpaperWednesday x @Oggis pic.twitter.com/WADzN9nOg8

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 13, 2023

• When: Friday, July 14, 2023, 9:38 PM ET
• Where: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
• TV: ATTH, BSW, MLBN
• Radio: 790AM KBME (Astros) // AM830 KLAA (Angels)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Astros (+128) // Angels (-152)

READ MORE: Padres vs. Phillies MLB Odds, Preview and Prediction – July 14, 2023

Why bet on the Houston Astros?

Houston stars Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve both missed the All-Star Game injured. Altuve will need a rehab stint from his oblique injury so he won’t play in this series. Mauricio Dubon will continue to handle second base and the leadoff spot on an everyday basis until Altuve is deemed ready to return from the IL. Alvarez has missed about a month with a right oblique strain and is closer than Altuve to returning but not by Friday.

Astros manager Dusty Baker hasn’t announced his starting pitcher for this one. It could be ace and AL Cy Young favorite Framber Valdez (7-6, 2.05). Valdez logged a quality start in a no-decision against the Mariners on Saturday, surrendering just two runs on five hits over his six frames. Valdez generated 12 swings and misses on 105 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 23 percent.

He concluded the first half of the season with a 2.51 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 116/26 K/BB ratio over 111 innings in his 17 starts. Among AL starters, he ranks first ERA, opponent OPS (.603) and second in home runs per 9.0 (0.57). Valdez was named to the AL All-Star team but didn’t pitch in the game so he’s fresh.

Closer Ryan Pressly is on an incredible run, having tossed 11.0 consecutive hitless and scoreless innings over his last 10 appearances dating back to June 18. Since that date, Pressly owns a 1-0 record and is eight-for-eight in save opportunities.

Houston leads the season series 5-2 and is 2-1 in Anaheim but I like the Halos here behind Ohtani and with Houston still missing Altuve and Alvarez.

Why bet on the L.A. Angels?

Will the Angels trade Ohtani? Doubtful simply as owner Arte Moreno reportedly doesn’t want to be known as the guy who traded the modern-day Babe Ruth. But if the Angels continue to struggle out of the break – at 45-46, they are five games back of the final AL wild card spot – then it’s possible Moreno has a change of mind and gets something back for Ohtani than potentially lose him for nothing this winter in free agency.

The Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Giants, Mariners and Padres are potential destinations if Ohtani is traded – although it seems unlikely that the Angels would send him across town. Many do think that Ohtani will sign with the Dodgers this winter because he wants to win. The Yankees were interested last summer, and have prospects the Angels like. The Mets are always part of the conversation with Steve Cohen. It’s believed that Ohtani will net the richest contract in MLB history, north of $500 million.

During Tuesday night’s All-Star Game in Seattle, the fans chanted “Come to Se-at-tle!” when Ohtani came to the plate for the American League in the first inning. The chant was repeated nearly a dozen times during Ohtani’s at-bat before he struck out on six pitches against Arizona’s Zac Gallen. They also chanted during Ohtani’s second plate appearance in the fourth, when he walked. He then came out of the game.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that, but I definitely heard it,” Ohtani said through his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani didn’t pitch in the ASG because of a minor blister issue but is scheduled for Friday. Ohtani was pulled from the sixth inning of last Tuesday’s start against the Padres because of it.

He has put together a two-way campaign so far that is virtually unmatched in modern history, leading the majors with 32 home runs and a staggering 1.050 OPS. He also boasts a 3.32 ERA and 132/43 K/BB ratio across 100 1/3 innings over 17 starts on the mound. He ranks second in the Majors in opponent batting average (.189) and is fourth in strikeouts (132).

Halos closer Carlos Estévez was selected to his first career All-Star Game and did pitch a scoreless inning in it. He has 1.85 ERA on the season and has converted all 21 of his save opportunities. The Angels are on a season-high five-game skid out of the break and Friday opens a 10-game homestand with the Yankees and Pirates next in town.

LA All-Star outfielder Mike Trout remains sidelined with a fractured wrist. He was hitting .263 with 18 home runs and 44 RBIs before going down and may not be back for four weeks.

Astros vs. Angels Betting Trends

• Houston is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games.
• Astros are 5-1 SU in the last 6 games on the road.
• The total went in 7 of Houston’s last 10 games.
• LA Angels are 0-5 SU in the last 5 games.
• Angels are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home.
• The total went over in 4 of LA Angels’ last 5 games.

Astros vs. Angels Betting Prediction

Angels 4, Astros 3.

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