Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros: Odds, Analysis, MLB Betting Pick

The Los Angeles Angels (14-8) hit the road for the first of three games against the Houston Astros (16-7) on Monday as big road underdogs at the sportsbooks.

The Angels completed a dismal six-game homestand at 1-5 following a 4-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, while the Astros have taken over the lead in the American League West with a six-game winning streak after outscoring the Chicago White Sox 27-2 in a three-game sweep.

MLB betting line: The Astros opened as -210 favorites (wager $210 to win $100); the total is at eight runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer:5.7-2.1, Astros (MLB picks on every game)

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Why the Angels can pay on the MLB lines

The top two teams in the AL West will be meeting for the first time this season, and that alone should motivate Los Angeles in this spot.

Last year, the Angels went 7-12 in the 19 games between the teams, and they look to be much improved in 2018 despite their recent struggles.

Southpaw Tyler Skaggs (2-1, 3.98 ERA) will try to bounce back from his worst start last time out against the Boston Red Sox, surrendering six runs and eight hits in 4.1 innings on Wednesday.

Skaggs had allowed just three runs in his previous three starts combined totaling 16 innings, so he should rebound here.

Why the Astros can pay on the MLB lines

Houston could not have asked for a much better start to the season for new acquisition Gerrit Cole (2-0, 0.96). The former Pittsburgh Pirates ace has more than delivered in his first four starts for the Astros, striking out 41 batters and walking only six in 28 innings as they have gone a perfect 4-0.

Eric Christian Smith/Associated Press

More good news is that Cole has not needed to overextend himself in any of the outings, going an even seven innings each time.

After going through a rough stretch in which they lost five of six games, they appear to have returned to their championship form from a year ago, which is a great sign.

Smart betting pick

Los Angeles fared decently at Minute Maid Park last season, going 4-5 in the last nine games to close out 2017.

The Angels were underdogs of -145 or higher in all of their four wins there, closing at -175 in the last two, according to the OddsShark MLB Database.

While Cole has been outstanding this year, he is due for a letdown and will be facing a lethal lineup. Look for the 27-year-old and Houston to get upset in the series opener.

MLB betting trends

Los Angeles is 8-1 ATS in its last nine games on the road.

Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last five games.

The total has gone over in four of Houston's last five games.

All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.