Rangers vs. Angels Pick
Are the host Los Angeles Angels going to even their home four-game series with the Texas Rangers Tuesday night? First pitch is at 10:07PM EST.
Oddsmakers at sports book BetDSI have made the Angels a -150 favorite on the moneyline. The Rangers are a +130 underdog, while the over-under is 9.5.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats
Tyson Ross (3-2, 7.02 ERA) draws the start for Texas, while Los Angeles turns to Ricky Nolasco (6-12, 5.16). Ross has pitched well in very few of his nine starts since returning from an arm injury. He has a 1.65 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings. He most recently allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits with two strikeouts and six walks over 4 1/3 innings in a 9-8 win versus the White Sox. Nolasco is one of the most inconsistent starting pitchers in baseball, tossing a shutout gem and turning around to give up eight earned runs in his next start. He did exactly that in his last start at the Rangers, being throttled in a 10-0 road loss. He carries a 1.45 WHIP and his home/road splits are nearly identical, although he does give up a lot more home runs on the road.
Texas comes in with a 62-62 record and is 27-33 on the road, while Los Angeles is 64-61 and 33-27 at home. The Rangers have won six of the last 10 meetings this season, while the total has gone under in five games. The total has gone over in four other games and the other was a push.
The Rangers won the series opener as Cole Hamels allowed two earned runs over seven innings, while Alex Claudio picked up his seventh save. Adrian Beltre hit a three-run homer and totaled four RBIs. Shin Soo Choo had two hits including a double, scoring a run and driving in one. Mike Napoli also had two hits, while Delino DeShields Jr. scored two runs. Tyler Skaggs gave up five runs (four earned) over 5 1/3 innings to take the loss for the Angels. Mike Trout was 1-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Martin Maldonado went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
The tempting play is the over, but for this prediction we’ll stick with the Angels. Nolasco pitches well when you don’t expect him to and this fits that bill since he was pummeled by the Rangers last month. Ross hasn’t figured it out since returning from injury and the Angels are strong at home.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES ANGELS -150