MLB picks: Indians vs. Angels, Astros vs. A's

Baseball bettors have a bevy of options this Wednesday night, but these two sides stand out above the rest.

First, we’ll preview a matchup between the Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Angels. Then we’ll highlight a divisional rivalry game between the Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics.  

Cleveland Indians (22-18) at Los Angeles Angels (18-23), 8:07 p.m. ET

The Angels were dealt a crushing blow on Tuesday when it was revealed that Mike Trout will miss at least six weeks due to a calf injury. However, led by two-way star Shohei Ohtani, they can pick up a series victory over the Indians on Wednesday night.

Ohtani has made five starts in 2021 and looked excellent in all but one of them. Excluding his outing on April 26 against the Texas Rangers – in which they saw his repertoire for the second time in six days – his season ERA is a microscopic 0.87. Ohtani has surrendered 20 walks in 25 2/3 innings, but Cleveland is a modest 22nd in walks drawn this season (124).

The Japanese native has been in the L.A. lineup in three of his first five starts, suggesting that he could go after a four-game streak with a home run here.

Aaron Civale responds for the Tribe, and his last four starts have been sub-par (4.33 ERA). He’ll square off with an Angels offense that’s plated 18 runs in its last three games.

In addition to Ohtani, Jared Walsh has been red-hot in the month of May, batting .339 with three homers and 12 RBI.

MLB pick: Angels -130

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Houston Astros (24-18) at Oakland Athletics (26-17), 9:40 p.m. ET

The A’s should be able to secure the series victory over the Astros on Wednesday night as the battle for the AL West heats up.

Zack Greinke hasn’t looked anything like a staff ace for Houston in his last four starts, producing a 6.63 ERA. He shut out Oakland over six frames on Opening Day, but a lot has changed since then.

Bettors should anticipate a solid game from A’s outfielder Ramon Laureano, who went deep twice in a 6-5 victory over the Astros on Tuesday night. He’s 6-for-11 (.545) with a homer and three additional extra-base hits against Greinke all-time.

Frankie Montas counters for Oakland, and he sports a solid 3.12 ERA through three starts this month. He limited Houston to one run over six frames when these teams met on April 10.

The A’s are 8-1 in their last nine home games against right-handed starters, while the ‘Stros have dropped four of their last five road games overall.

MLB pick: A’s -106