MLB Betting: Blistering Pitchers Square Off

The Houston Astros get their first look at Shohei Ohtani on Tuesday night, as they continue a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels.

While Ohtani (2-1, 3.60) is scheduled to get the ball for the Angels, the Astros will counter with Charlie Morton (3-0, 0.72). Ohtani lasted only two innings in his last start, allowing three runs on four hits against the Boston Red Sox before departing with a blister on his pitching hand. Los Angeles went on to lose 10-1 as a -160 favorite at Bovada Sportsbook. Ohtani has DHed since the abbreviated start and it appears the blister problem is behind him, but keep an eye on the injury reports just in case.

Morton has been excellent for Houston so far this season, and in his last start pitched seven shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners. Houston went on to win 9-2 as a -175 road favorite. Morton has had great success against the Angels in five career starts with a 3-0 record and 3.14 ERA.

Houston entered this series hot, having won six straight, while the Angels are struggling at 1-5 in their last six games. Last season, Houston won the season series 12-7, which included going 6-4 at home against the Angels.

Also on the MLB schedule Tuesday night is an AL East matchup between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.

The pitching matchup in the series opener is Rick Porcello (4-0, 1.40) for Boston and J.A. Happ (3-1, 4.50) for Toronto.

Porcello has found his Cy Young form again early in the season with four wins in four starts. In his last start, he pitched a complete-game shutout against the Angels, allowing only six hits with six strikeouts. Porcello has had some trouble against the Blue Jays in his career with a 9-9 record and a 4.98 ERA in 21 starts.

Happ is coming off a win over the Kansas City Royals in which he allowed four runs on five hits with eight strikeouts over six innings. Last season in four starts against the Red Sox, he was 2-0 with a 1.90 ERA, and in 17 career starts against them he is 7-3 with a 3.22 ERA.

Last season Boston dominated the season series with Toronto with a 13-6 record. In Toronto, the Red Sox have won their last seven games against the Blue Jays.