With the Braves struggling the Nationals have closed some of the gap in the National League East. They are now down down just a game in the division despite the fact they have struggled over the last five against Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
The falloff that everyone was expecting from Baltimore hasn’t happened…yet. Right now they are being sustained by a fantastic start from slugging first baseman Chris Davis, who is in the top 3 in the Majors in homers, RBI and average.
The Angels are struggling to get going in April. They let some key players go over the offseason and the replacements aren’t doing much.
Thursday April 25
Safeco Field – Seattle, WA
10:10
Probable Starters:
LAA: Garrett Richards (R)
SEA: Brandon Maurer (R)
Moneyline: Los Angeles -135, Seattle +125 at Bovada
O/U: 8
ATS Matchup Stats | Gambling Insight!
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They focused on offense in bringing in Josh Hamilton from Texas and that move hasn’t really borne much fruit.
They also elected to go with a new cast of starting pitchers at the back end of the rotation and even though it is not all their fault the team ERA is the second worst in the league. Slow start or long term indicator? We will have to wait to see.
L.A. starter Garrett Richards has been kicking around as a prospect with the Angels for a while but it looks like he might be finally getting a chance. He started the season in the pen but he has made two starts now, including a very sharp outing in shutting out Detroit in which he yielded just 2 hits over 7 innings.
The Angels have a pretty good track record grooming Major League pitching so it may finally be his time.
The American League West is going to be a tough division. But it is going to be especially tough if the Mariners don’t figure out a way to beat the Astros. After yesterday’s loss they are 2-4 against Houston, contributing to their 6-11 record against division foes so far.
They can try and improve on that this weekend as they host the Angels, a team that is having some struggles of their own as well. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Mariners starter Brandon Maurer is getting his first taste of the Majors this season. His first two outings were forgettable as the A’s and Astros feasted on him but he has dealt quality starts his last two times out, both against Texas.
He is not great but don’t be completely fooled by that 7+ ERA. Giving up 6ER in 2/3 of an inning will kill your numbers this early in the season.. He is not as highly touted as Richards though.
L.A. is the better value play as a medium favourite in this one. They are the better team on the whole with the better arm on the mound. Seattle is one of the more frustrating teams to try and figure out and when King Felix is not on the mound it is probably best to stay away.
If you win early maybe put a small play on the Angels.
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Los Angeles 6 – Seattle 5
After the Toronto Blue Jays, the Los Angeles Dodgers are right up there in terms of disappointments this season.
The Diamondbacks are hanging in there pretty well considering they are dealing with some injuries after pretty low expectations coming into the season.
I am not really sure how they are doing it but the New York Yankees are hanging in there despite missing several key members of their everyday lineup.
The Nationals fashion themsleves an elite team but after losing the series opener to the Mets are closer to the middle than the top of the National League East. They opened the series with Stephen Strasburg on the hill but the Mets weren’t shy in welcoming him to the Big Apple.
This is a big series for the Diamondbacks as they look to close ground on the surprising Rockies at the top of the division.
Detroit is sitting at the top of a bunchy American League Central right now.
They won the opener of their series against Seattle last night pushing their road record to over .500 for the season.
The Padres may have won yesterday to break their losing streak but they are still struggling greatly this season. They are already 6 games back in the standing of the N.L. West standings and will need more than just fire in their bellies to overcome.
The Phillies should be encouraged by the fact that they got a solid pitching performance from Roy Halladay yesterday. After taking two of three against the Marlins they are at .500 but still looking way up at the Braves in the National League East standings.
The offense has been much less impressive as they have are the 4th worst team in the Majors in runs scored so far, a real disappointment given they were supposed to have a revamped lineup and the seeming return to form of OF Carl Crawford.
The forecasted demise of the New York Yankees might have been a little premature. After yesterday’s drubbing of Cleveland they are at .500 and if lefty Andy Pettite continues to turn back the clock they may have something to say all season long.
The Mets have taken advantage of their schedule to get off to a nice start.
They are just behind the Braves in the National League East standings and if they can get another series win in Philadelphia they will really be pleased with themselves.
The Phillies have not gotten off to a good start and are looking to salvage a game in this opening series against division rival Atlanta. Starter Roy Halladay gave a confounding performance yesterday, racking up the strikeouts while giving up the long ball.
As the calendar turns the page to the month of March, all 30 MLB teams are busy preparing for a run at a World Series title. The following is a brief look at my top favorite, contender and longshot to break through the pack this season and win the American League Pennant.
All odds quoted have been provided by Cappers Picks’ top sportsbooks.
