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The  Los Angeles Angels got an opening day upset over the Houston Astros in Houston.

Perhaps Mike Trout has discovered the fountain of youth, while the Astros have misplaced their ability to hit. More likely, normalcy will return to both dugouts as the long MLB season hits day two.

Look for the Houston bats to arrive from camp after a one-day delay.

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My Angels vs. Astros predictions and MLB picks look for Houston to even its record with a win.

Angels vs Astros predictionsAngels vs Astros best bet: Astros moneyline (-166)

The pitching matchup is heavily in the Houston Astros favor. Starter Mike Burrows seized a top-three rotation spot with a dominating spring training for Houston. He pitched a team-high 18 innings and allowed just three runs, striking out 17.

The Los Angeles Angels counter with Yusei Kikuchi, who is 1-6 with a 5.83 ERA in 16 career starts against Houston. He also got batted around in the WBC.

The Angels also used four relievers to finish off Houston in the opener. Their bullpen was already a question mark, with expected contributors Robert Stephenson, Ben Joyce, and Kirby Yates all starting the season on the IL.  

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COVERS INTEL:

Five Astros batters have a career OPS over 1.000 against Kikuchi, and five have homered, hitting a combined nine home runs against him.

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Angels vs Astros same-game parlay (SGP)

A broken hand and sprained ankle cost Yordan Alvarez most of last season. He’s back to full health, though, and ready to assume his role as Houston’s most dangerous hitter. He has nine career RBIs against Kikuchi, second most of any hitter the hurler has faced.

After a 3-0 opening day result, this pitching matchup is more conducive to offense. Burrows averaged less than 4.2 innings per start last year, and the Astros bullpen already put in more than four innings of work in the opening game. Look for lots of pitchers and plenty of runs on both sides.

Angels vs Astros SGP

Yordan Alvarez Over 0.5 RBIs

Angels vs Astros home run pick: Yordan Alvarez (+325)

Alvarez should have had a home run in the opening game, but his rocket shot hit the roof of the stadium.

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It still cleared the wall but was deflected by the roof into foul territory. He has a 1.143 career OPS against Kikuchi and is one of seven batters to take him deep three times, a group that also includes Shohei Ohtani.

2026 Transparency record

Best bets: 0-2, -2.0 units

HR picks: 0-2, -2.0 units

Angels vs Astros odds

Moneyline: Los Angeles +143 | Houston -158

Run line: Los Angeles +1.5 (-150) | Houston -1.5 (+130)

Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-105) | Under 8.5 (-115)

Angels vs Astros trend

Yusei Kikuchi has not finished the fourth inning in his last three starts against Houston, all losses where the Astros scored eight or more runs. Find more MLB betting trends for Angels vs. Astros.

How to watch Angels vs Astros and game info

Location

Daikin Park, Houston, TX

Date

Friday, March 27, 2026

First pitch

8:15 p.m. ET

TV

Apple TV

Angels starting pitcher

Yusei Kikuchi
(2025: 7-11, 3.99 ERA)

Astros starting pitcher

Mike Burrows
(2025: 2-4, 3.94 ERA)

Angels vs Astros latest injuriesAngels vs Astros weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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