MLB picks: Angels vs. Yankees, Orioles vs. Astros

Let’s take a look at two intriguing American League games for Wednesday night!

Leading off is our preview of a tilt between the Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees. Then we’ll discuss a meeting between the Baltimore Orioles and the Houston Astros.

Los Angeles Angels (38-41) at New York Yankees (41-38), 7:05 p.m. ET

Shohei Ohtani wasn’t able to lift the Angels past the Yankees on Tuesday night despite hitting two home runs, but perhaps he can beat the Bombers with his arm this Wednesday. He should at least put his team in position to win once he departs.

Ohtani threw a season-high 105 pitches as he held the San Francisco Giants to one run over six frames last Wednesday. He sports a 2.35 ERA through four starts this month, recording 32 strikeouts in the process while surrendering a mere five walks. Ohtani has strengthened his case for AL MVP over his last five games, tallying five homers and nine RBI in spite of his club going 2-3 in that span.

Countering for New York is Domingo German, who is hanging onto his rotation spot by his fingernails. He owns a 7.04 ERA and 1.478 WHIP over his last five starts.

Ohtani isn’t the only Angel swinging a hot bat at present – David Fletcher is riding a 14-game hitting streak, in which he’s batting .434. This still may not be enough to overcome L.A.’s awful bullpen, which owns a 5.88 ERA over the last two weeks (28th in MLB). By contrast, the Bombers’ bullpen owns a 3.60 ERA in the same span (10th).

Bettors would be wise to try and cash in early with the Angels instead.

MLB pick: Angels +108 (first five innings)

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Baltimore Orioles (26-54) at Houston Astros (48-32), 8:10 p.m. ET

After seeing 16 runs cross the plate in each of the first two games of this series, totals bettors should not be surprised if the Over cashes again as the Orioles play the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Matt Harvey will toe the rubber for Baltimore, trying to avoid recording another month with an ERA above 9.00. The attempt is likely to be in vain against Houston’s top-ranked lineup by runs per game (5.65). Behind Harvey is an awful Orioles bullpen that’s produced a 6.35 ERA over the last two weeks, next-to-last in the majors in that span.

Countering for the ‘Stros is Luis Garcia, who’s been highly effective in the month of June (2.37 ERA). However, he is backed by a struggling Houston relief corps that owns a 4.87 ERA over the last two weeks (21st).

MLB pick: Over