The Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees will play a makeup game on Monday night. It's time to continue our MLB odds series and make an Angels – Yankees prediction and pick.
This game was supposed to be played on July 1st, but a rain delay pushed it here. It would've held a lot more weight for the Angels had it been played in early July, as Los Angeles was still clinging to some playoff hopes then. Now the Angels are 12 games out of first place in the AL West, their postseason hopes all but nonexistent. The Yankees, on the other hand, have managed to make a push in the AL East. New York is only 5.5 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays, and it seems likely that the Yankees manage to take a wild card spot. No matter the playoff implications, this matchup is sure to be an entertaining one.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the odds for Monday's game.
MLB Odds: Angels-Yankees Odds
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Los Angeles Angels +1 1/2 (+119)
New York Yankees -1 1/2 (-139)
Over 8 1/2 runs (-118)
Under 8 1/2 runs (-102)
Why The Angels Could Cover The Spread
When the Angels win, it's usually because of a good offensive showing from their lineup. The Los Angeles lineup has proven its ability to put up plenty of runs by ranking in the top ten in the MLB in batting average and slugging percentage. This offense is a handful for any opposing pitcher, including Yankees starter Gerrit Cole.
Cole started off the season pitching at an incredible level. He's cooled off significantly since then, with his ERA in both June and July sitting above 4.50. Cole's ERA in his last seven starts is a mediocre 4.87, paired with a 1.30 WHIP. It's clear that Cole is no longer pitching at an elite level, so this strong Angels lineup should be able to tag him for a couple of early runs.
Los Angeles will entrust the start to pitcher Jose Suarez. Suarez has been utilized in a variety of ways by general manager Joe Maddon, starting and coming out of the bullpen all season long. Suarez has posted decent numbers on the year, pitching to the tune of a 3.90 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Helping Suarez is the fact that the Yankees are actually worse on offense when they play at home. New York sees a dip in batting average, OBP, OPS, and slugging percentage whenever they hit in Yankee Stadium.
Why The Yankees Could Cover The Spread
Before the trade deadline, the Yankees looked like a lackluster offense. The addition of Anthony Rizzo has worked wonders for the Bronx Bombers, as they've been one of the hottest offenses in baseball recently. Over their last five games, the Yankees have scored more than four runs four times. They've scored a total of 20 runs over their last three games. New York is red-hot at the plate, and Suarez probably won't be able to cool them down.
It helps that Suarez is on a bit of a cold streak of his own. Over his last seven appearances, the Angels starter posted a 5.13 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Those numbers indicate a very hittable pitcher to any lineup, but especially the Yankees, as New York specializes in hitting left-handed pitching. They see a rise in all their major batting stats when they face a lefty as opposed to a right-handed pitcher.
Gerrit Cole has certainly had his struggles recently, but most of those struggles have taken place when he pitches on the road. Cole has been dominant when pitching in Yankee Stadium, as he's earned a 2.70 ERA when pitching at home. His opponent's batting average is a measly .210 whenever Cole is on his home turf.
Final Angels – Yankees Prediction & Pick
The Yankees should cover this spread, but they aren't the best pick on the board. The over looks really nice here, as the Yankees have the potential to break it on their own. Both starters are on a bit of a cold streak, and there are two great offenses on the field. Because of this, the Angels – Yankees prediction is for plenty of runs to be scored. The over should hit comfortably.
FINAL PICK: Over 8 1/2 runs (-118)
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