Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros Picks and Prediction for Thursday, August 20, 2026

The Los Angeles Angels visit the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Thursday, with the first pitch at 8:10 PM ET. Los Angeles is 50-76, fourth in the AL West, and 21-40 on the road after beating Houston 3-1 in its most recent completed game. The Angels have won three of five. Houston is 63-63, first in the AL West, and 31-32 at home after Tuesday’s loss. The Astros have lost three straight. Find another betting angle with our free MLB pickss.

Los Angeles Angels Look to Build on Recent Pitching

Los Angeles is batting .235 with a .309 on-base percentage and .374 slugging percentage while scoring 510 runs and hitting 126 home runs. Mike Trout has 20 homers, 45 RBIs and an .819 OPS, while Nolan Schanuel leads the Angels with a .281 batting average. Zach Neto has 20 home runs, 54 RBIs and 108 hits. Los Angeles has scored 17 runs across its last five games, including seven against Texas and six against Kansas City.

The Angels carry a 4.37 team ERA and 1.35 WHIP, but recent pitching has been much stronger. Los Angeles has allowed only 11 runs across its last five games, including three shutouts or one-run performances. The Angels beat Texas 7-0, Kansas City 1-0 and Houston 3-1 during that stretch. Los Angeles has struggled considerably away from home, however, entering Thursday with only 21 victories across 61 road games.

Injuries: Sam Bachman (15-Day IL), Yusei Kikuchi (60-Day IL), Sebastian Rivero (60-Day IL), Shaun Anderson (15-Day IL), Yoan Moncada (60-Day IL).

Houston Astros Try to End Three-Game Slide

Houston is batting .243 with a .318 on-base percentage and .411 slugging percentage while scoring 577 runs and hitting 169 home runs. Yordan Alvarez leads the lineup with a .318 average, 36 home runs, 88 RBIs and a 1.045 OPS. Christian Walker has 23 homers and 71 RBIs, while Isaac Paredes has 16 home runs and 67 RBIs. Houston has scored 20 runs across its last five games despite managing only three during its last two contests.

The Astros have struggled on the mound overall, carrying a 4.57 team ERA and 1.36 WHIP while opponents are batting .239. Houston has allowed 167 home runs and issued 517 walks. Recent results have also been uneven, with the Astros allowing 24 runs across their last five games. Houston surrendered only four combined runs in losses to Seattle and Los Angeles surrounding a 10-5 defeat, showing how quickly its pitching results have changed from game to game.

Injuries: Mike Burrows (15-Day IL), Brice Matthews (10-Day IL), Carlos Correa (60-Day IL), Brandon Walter (60-Day IL).

Pitching Matchup

Los Angeles Angels – Grayson Rodriguez

Rodriguez is 3-5 with a 7.17 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 59 innings. The right-hander has allowed 66 hits, 28 walks, and 10 home runs while striking out 55. Rodriguez faces a Houston lineup with 169 home runs and several dangerous power hitters. 

Houston Astros – Peter Lambert

Lambert is 8-6 with a 3.11 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 118.2 innings. The right-hander has allowed 91 hits, 46 walks and 12 home runs while recording 117 strikeouts. Los Angeles ranks 26th in MLB with a .235 batting average and has scored three runs or fewer in three of its last five games. 

Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros Game Pick

• Houston Astros

Houston is the game pick because the starting pitching matchup provides a major advantage. Lambert owns a 3.11 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, while Rodriguez enters with a 7.17 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. Houston also has considerably more power, hitting 169 home runs compared with Los Angeles’ 126. Alvarez leads that attack with 36 homers and a 1.045 OPS. The Angels won Tuesday’s opener, but their 21-40 road record remains concerning. Take Houston to win the series finale.

Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros Over/Under Pick

• Over

The over is the total pick because Rodriguez has struggled to prevent both hits and runs this season. The Angels right-hander has allowed 66 hits in 59 innings while carrying a 7.17 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. Houston has 169 home runs, with Alvarez, Walker and Paredes providing three established power threats. Lambert should limit Los Angeles more effectively, but Houston’s overall staff owns a 4.57 ERA. The Astros have also allowed 24 runs across their last five games, making the over the play here.