MLB picks: Angels vs. Tigers, Astros vs. Royals

We scanned the Wednesday MLB slate and came up with two solid sides for the evening!

Leading off is our look at the matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and the Detroit Tigers. Then we’ll highlight a showdown between the Houston Astros and the Kansas City Royals.

Los Angeles Angels (60-61) at Detroit Tigers (58-63), 7:10 p.m. ET

Under bettors were burned in Tuesday’s series opener between the Angels and Tigers, as L.A. plated six in a wild top of the ninth to win 8-2. But Wednesday’s contest between these two clubs offers a chance for Under bettors to seek redemption.

Shohei Ohtani will toe the rubber for the Halos, looking for his fifth win in a six-start span. He’s recorded five straight quality starts heading into this contest, producing a 1.69 ERA in that stretch. Ohtani should be able to tame a Tigers offense that ranks just 24th in runs per game at home in 2021 (4.13).

Tarik Skubal counters for Detroit, riding an 11-inning scoreless streak. He owns a respectable 3.48 ERA at home this season. Prior to Tuesday’s outburst of offense, the Angels exceeded three runs in a game just once in a six-game span.

Bettors shouldn’t anticipate a bullpen implosion on the level of Tuesday’s from either side; the Tigers are still eighth by reliever ERA over the last two weeks (3.22), while the Angels are a decent 13th (3.67).

MLB pick: Under

Houston Astros (70-49) at Kansas City Royals (51-67), 8:10 p.m. ET

The Astros should end their three-game slide in style at Kauffman Stadium against the Royals on Wednesday night.

Zack Greinke gets the nod for Houston, looking to build on a productive start to August in which he’s authored a 2.08 ERA through two starts (13 innings). The former Kansas City All-Star has done some of his best work away from home this year, producing a 2.41 ERA and 0.887 WHIP.

Greinke is backed by the Astros’ fifth-rated bullpen by ERA over the last two weeks (2.08).

Brady Singer responds for the Royals, and his recent results are far from encouraging. The Florida native owns a 9.20 ERA over his last four starts, failing to pitch into the fifth inning on three occasions.

Singer – along with the Royals’ 11th-ranked bullpen by ERA over the last two weeks (3.58) – will take on Houston’s top-ranked offense by runs per game (5.33) in this spot. Look for Carlos Correa – who already has three hits in this series (including a home run) – to get the ‘Stros going at the plate.

MLB pick: Astros -1.5 runs (-117)