The Tampa Bay Rays will be taking on the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Fox Sports West will be televising this AL showdown and the game is slated to get underway at 4:07 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Angels Odds
The Rays are 22-22 SU and are 22-21 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 0.9 units for moneyline gamblers in this young season, despite having gained 0.1 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Angels, on the other hand, are 25-21 SU and 22-23 ATS. They’ve gained 3.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 0.7 units ATS. Los Angeles has covered the spread just once in its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Angels games have an over/under record of 23-21-1 so far in 2018. Tampa Bay has an over/under record of 23-18-2.
Sergio Romo is getting the nod for the visiting Rays. The right-handed Romo is 1-0 with a 4.67 ERA and 23 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Los Angeles this year.
The Angels are handing the ball to righty Shohei Ohtani (3-1, 3.58 ERA), who has 43 punchouts and 13 walks, as well as a 1.10 WHIP. Ohtani has yet to face the Rays this year and did not pitch in the majors in 2017.
Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.30 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 8.14 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.57, along with a K/9 of 8.51.
The Rays offense has slashed .266/.337/.408 on its way to 4.4 runs scored per game this season, including 5.1 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 6.2 per game over the teams last five contests (5-0 SU).
Second baseman Daniel Robertson and first baseman C.J. Cron have led Tampa Bay’s hitters. Robertson is slashing .283/.437/.491 with five home runs, 15 RBIs and 21 runs scored, while Cron has a .285 average with 11 homers, 27 RBIs and 27 runs scored.
Cron did not seem to enjoy hitting against right-handed pitchers on the road last season. Over 135 such plate appearances, he put up a slash line of .213/.244/.339 (his total season line was .248/.305/.437).
For the home team, Los Angeles pitchers have given up 4.3 runs per game overall this season. The clubs starters have a 3.73 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.87 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 9.1 K/9.
The Los Angeles hitters are putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 2.8 per game over its last 10 games and 2.0 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .178/.246/.318 over its last five contests and is 0-5 SU during that span.
Right fielder Mike Trout and shortstop Andrelton Simmons have paced the Angels’ hitters this year. Trout is hitting .296/.433/.636 with 14 home runs, 28 RBIs, 36 runs and eight stolen bases, and the line for Simmons stands at .329/.396/.470 with three homers, 25 RBIs, 26 runs and five steals.
Compared to his total season slash line of .306/.442/.629, Trout seemed to enjoy hitting right-handed pitching at home last season, slashing .352/.468/.753 over 203 such plate appearances.
The Rays have lost 3.5 units and are 12-16 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 16 of those games, compared to 11 that’ve gone under against righties.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Angels MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Angels, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Tampa Bay defense has allowed two errors over its last five games, compared to seven errors for Los Angeles over its last five.
- The Rays have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
