Astros vs. Angels Wednesday MLB probable pitchers, odds: Shohei Ohtani could retake AL MVP betting lead with another dominant game on mound

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has been the American League MVP betting favorite at Caesars Sportsbook for many weeks and still is at +110, but the slumping Judge could fall behind Angels' dual-threat star Shohei Ohtani (+150) late Wednesday night if Ohtani delivers yet another stellar performance on the mound as the Halos host Houston. L.A. is a -120 favorite.

Tonight will be Ohtani's final appearance on the mound before Tuesday's All-Star Game in Los Angeles, assuming he even pitches that night. The Angels might request to AL manager Dusty Baker that Ohtani simply play DH and not take the mound, but the fans clearly want to see him hit – he will start at designated hitter -- and pitch. He was chosen for both spots for a second straight year. Per interim manager Phil Nevin, the Angels may not have an issue.

"Seeing him get an inning on the mound and then watching him hit, I think that's what all fans want to see," Nevin said recently. "We get to see it every day. We kind of get spoiled. I know being on the West Coast, East Coast fans don't get to see it too often. For them to be able to tune in and see both sides of Shohei is pretty special for everybody."

While Judge still leads the majors with 30 homers, he's hitting just .190 with a .277 OBP and 29.2 percent strikeout rate in his past 15 games. Judge has just one dinger this month. The Yankees had an off day Monday and yet still rested Judge for Tuesday's game vs. Cincinnati (which they lost in epic fashion). Manager Aaron Boone said Judge was fine health-wise, but wanted to give him a second straight day off and plans to play Judge the rest of the week.

While Ohtani (.255, 19 HRs, 54 RBI) likely won't come close to Judge's offensive production, Ohtani is 8-4 on the mound with a 2.44 ERA and 111 strikeouts. In his past five starts, he's is 5-0 with a 0.27 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 33.2 innings. He has not allowed an earned run in his last 28.2 innings. In his most recent start last Wednesday in Miami, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history with at least 10 pitching strikeouts, two RBI and a stolen base in the same game.

Ohtani is 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA in 10.2 innings this year against the Astros with 21 strikeouts and only five hits allowed. He is set at Over/Under 6.5 strikeouts tonight.

To win the Cy Young, Ohtani is a +700 third favorite behind Tampa Bay's Shane McClanahan (+250), who probably deserves to start the All-Star Game, and Houston's Justin Verlander (+250). The last pitcher to win both MVP and Cy Young was Clayton Kershaw in 2014 with the Dodgers. Verlander did it in 2011 with Detroit. 

Looking for the best picks against the spread, sharp plays on the total, and props you can take straight to the pay window? Join Jonathan Coachman on the Early Edge as he speaks with SportsLine's top handicappers to preview the day's biggest games. We promise to keep it short, sweet and to put some green in your pocket. Early Edge is in your feed every single day by 11 a.m. ET. Subscribe right here on YouTube to watch daily, plus don't miss the Early Edge specials and live shows!