The Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels face off for the last game of the series tonight with the White Sox looking to even the series. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a White-Sox-Angels prediction and more.
Chicago is currently 1-2 to start the season after receiving the most World Series bets of any team in Major League baseball. The Angels won their last matchup by a score of 5-3 after a solid start from Alex Cobb.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening White Sox-Angels odds.
MLB Odds: White Sox-Angels Odds
White Sox ML (+105)
Los Angeles Angels ML (-115)
Over 9 Runs (-115)
Under 9 Runs (-105)
Why The White Sox Could Win This Game
With Shohei Ohtani on the mound, the White Sox have a chance to capitalize against a pitcher that has historically struggled.
Ohtani has started a total of 12 games, and given up a total of 26 earned runs. Overall, Ohtani holds a career ERA of 4.39.The Japanese two-way star has shown flashes of brilliance while pitching, but he has overall disappointed on the mound.
Ohtani struggles to keep the bases clear because of his erratic control. He’s given up 30 walks in only 52.1 innings pitched, over half a walk per inning.
If Shohei comes out shaky, the White Sox can take advantage fast. Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu will either feast on mislocated pitches or wait Ohtani out for the walk to get on base and let a deep Sox lineup cause some damage.
On the pitching side, the White Sox have Dylan Cease taking the mound.
Cease had an excellent spring training, pitching to a 0.77 ERA through 11 2/3 innings.
Cease held right-handers to a .202 average last season and only allowed five home runs to right-handed batters. Against an Angels lineup that is led by power righty hitters like Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, the White Sox starter should have an advantage.
Why The Angels Could Win This Game
The Angels have an underrated lineup anchored by a perennial All-Star and one of the best hitters in the league.
Unsurprisingly, Mike Trout is off to a hot start. The MVP candidate is already 3 for 8 with two walks and an OBP of .615. Trout is capable of single-handedly changing the game, and surrounded by hitters like Justin Upton and Dexter Fowler, should get some good pitches to hit from Cease tonight.
The Angels get a boost on the mound and the batter’s box as Shohei Ohtani is expected to both pitch and hit.
Ohtani’s bat adds another home run threat to the lineup, and against a pitcher like Cease, this can be deadly. Cease posted a FIP of 6.36 last season, a number that is very high considering Cease’s ERA was 4.01.
The White Sox pitcher struggles with control, walking 34 batters in just over 58 innings. Against an Angels lineup that can work the count and run up a starters pitch-count early, Cease could be in trouble early.
Expect Los Angeles to work Cease early, and against a Chicago lineup that struggles against righties, the Angels are primed to win the opening series of the year.
Final White Sox-Angels Prediction & Pick
Considering Cease’s struggles last year and the White Sox’s overall inability to hit right-handed pitchers, the Angels should have a decisive advantage here. I’ll back Los Angeles to finish the series strong and get to Cease early.
FINAL WHITE SOX-ANGELS PICK: LOS ANGELES ANGELS ML (-115)
Follow Us
Subscribe