In the middle of a 10-game trip, the Boston Red Sox would like to keep their recent winning ways up in the opener of a four-game bill with the Los Angeles Angels Monday night. These clubs played in early May, with the Halos taking two of three decisions.
The Red Sox (27-27) are riding a win streak after sweeping Oakland in three games over the weekend. They have a lot of work to do if they want to catch up with the American League East-leading New York Yankees by the All-Star break, sitting a dozen games back.
Los Angeles (27-28) is ice cold at the moment. The Angels have tripped up in 11 consecutive tilts after losing at Philadelphia Sunday. Maybe being back at home will help them snap out of what has been a dreadful stretch.
In eight of those defeats, Los Angeles has failed to plate more than three runs. Center fielder Mike Trout is hitless in his last six games, and Shohei Ohtani hasn’t been able to get much going in the batter’s box either, posting a .182 average over the past week.
Collectively, the Angels’ offense is pretty average, as it ranks 15th in the big leagues in team average (.244). Yet, the order does have some pop. It’s belted 68 homers thus far, which is good enough for the fifth-most in the MLB.
Red Sox at Angels Odds
MLB odds have the Angels favored on their own diamond. Los Angeles is -1.5 on the run line at +155, while the Red Sox are -188 to cover the spread.
On the moneyline, the Angels are -126 and Boston a +108 underdog. The total has been set at 8.5 runs, with the over being -122 and the under +100 at the time of this writing.
Looking at MLB betting trends, designated hitter J.D. Martinez has been a big component swinging for Boston. His .353 batting average is the second-best in the majors. He’s been adept at getting on the basepaths away from Fenway Park, too, boasting a .468 on-base percentage in away games.
Left fielder Alex Verdugo has caught fire over the past seven days, picking up eight hits in 23 at-bats. Of players with at least 20 plate appearances over that time, only third baseman Rafael Devers has done nearly as well, hitting .304 with a long ball and three doubles.
Matchup Information
Red Sox at Angels Betting Preview
For the visitors, Michael Wacha will trot out to the hill. A 30-year-old right-hander, Wacha has a 2.43 ERA and a 3-1 record. The Red Sox have had a good deal of fortune with him throwing, having won six of his eight outings.
His last time out, against Cincinnati, Wacha pitched for 5.2 frames, allowing three hits and an earned run. Boston’s offense couldn’t offer him much help, though, and he lost a 2-1 ballgame.
Noah Syndergaard gets the nod for the Angels, looking to do better than he did in an encounter with the New York Yankees last Tuesday. In 2.1 innings, he gave up seven knocks – including a home run – and five earned runs. Los Angeles lost, 9-1.
The defeat followed what was arguably his best effort this year, an eight-frame four-hitter against Texas. On May 24, that was the Angels’ last win.
He’ll seek to improve upon his 4.02 ERA, as well.
Red Sox at Angels Picks and Predictions
The Angels are, without a doubt, the coldest team in baseball right now. Their two biggest names have fallen into slumps, and their production has suffered as a result. For Wacha, it could be a good opportunity to pad his record and give Boston its fourth victory in a row.
With these MLB picks today, watch for the Red Sox to kick the Angels while they’re down.
Get to betting on baseball and go with Boston to win outright in the Golden State.
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.