Rays vs Angels MLB Betting Preview
Both the Rangers and Yankees have big cushions in their respective divisions and this match up may be a preview of a playoff series. The Yankees have a 5 game lead over the Rays in the AL East and the Rangers have a 6.5 game lead over the A’s.
Venue/ Stadium: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
Time/Date: 10:05 PM EST Friday, August 17, 2012
MLB Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Rays +145 / Angels -165
Over/Under: 7 runs
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH James Shields (10-7, 4.02 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jered Weaver (15-2, 2.22)
Tampa Bay Rays vs. L.A. Angels Preview
The Rays have won 8 of their last 10 games and while it is unlikely that they will catch the Yankees in the AL East they are tied with the Orioles for the lead in the Wild Card. The Angels are slumping losers of 6 of their last 10 games and they are 6 games back of the Rangers in the AL West and 2.5 games out of the Wild Card lead. MLB odds have the Angels as home favorites with a total of 7.
In yesterday’s game between these 2 teams the Rays blanked the Angels 7-0.
This season the Rays have an O/U record of 44-69 with a run-line W/L record of 54-64 and the Angels have an O/U record of 55-61 with a run-line W/L record of 59-60.
The Rays have won 9 of their last 10 games facing the Angels and they have won 10 of their last 12 games facing them in L.A.
On the season the Angels are 33-26 at home and the Rays are 32-27 on the road.
James Shields (10-7, 4.02 ERA) goes for the Rays tonight and in his last start he gave up 2 earned runs in 7 innings in a no decision against the Twins. Jared Weaver (15-2, 2.22 ERA) gets the nod for the Angels and in his last start he gave up 3 earned runs in 7 innings in a loss. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The Rays have a 33 inning scoreless streak facing the Angels at Angel Stadium.
Weaver suffered his first loss at Angel Stadium in his last start, but at home he has an ERA of only 1.23 and in his 7 career starts against the Rays he is 4-1.
Shields is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his last 3 starts and is 2-1 with a 2.55 ERA in his last 5 starts against the Angels.
Shields may want to pitch around Howie Kendrick, who is batting over .570 against him in his career and the he is hitting .352 in his last 14 games.
The Rays will need a good outing from Shield since their offense only ranks 21st in the Majors in runs scored and 28th in team batting average.
In some betting trends for this AL match up the Rays are 7-2 in their last 9 road games, 4-1 in Shields’ last 5 starts, and they have an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 road games.
The Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record, 47-15 in Weaver’s last 62 home starts, and they have an Over record if 7-2 in their last 9 games.
Jason’s Pick: The Rays have owned the Angels lately, but that will end tonight, as Weaver will have a strong start and the Halos will get back in the W column.
