posted March 31, 2008 at 17:44 in MLB Articles
MLB Baseball Betting Action – Los Angeles Angels at Minnesota Twins
The Los Angeles Angels won a whopping 94 games last season, but felt the need to improve their team after getting swept by the Boston Red Sox in their American League postseason matchup last season.
The Angels, who could have used another starting pitcher or two, instead, used their free agent dollars to acquire former Minnesota Twins, multiple Gold Glove-winning centerfielder Torii Hunter, though they had their own defensive ace playing center field last season in Gary Matthews Jr.
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Now, Hunter, who hit .287 with 28 homers and 107 RBIs in 2007, gets an up close look at his former team in the very first game of the season.
"I thought I would finish my career there, but I had it in the back of my mind just to be ready for it, that one day it would happen to me," Hunter said. "I was hoping it wouldn't but it did, and what better place can you come? To a stadium like this: 70 degrees and work on your tan."
Hunter joins an outfield that includes Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Matthews Jr., putting one of the players on the bench or at DH.
Despite their unbridled success last season, the Angels wree severely lacking in the power department, hitting 123 home runs to rank in 12th place in the AL.
Oddly enough, Matthews Jr., the man Hunter will replace in the starting lineup, approved of the deal that brought the electrifying player to L.A.
“We made our team better," Matthews said. "He'll not only give protection to Vlady, but when you add that kind of balance to the lineup, it gives protection to everyone."
While Hunter and the Angels are expecting big things this season, the same can’t be said for the Twins who may not even reach .500 after trading Hunter and staff ace Johan Santana.
"Obviously when we see him in that other dugout that's going to be weird," Twins first baseman Justin Morneau said of Hunter. "As long as he's not robbing home runs from me, we'll be all right."
The Twins have a solid core of position players led by Morneau, the 2006 American League MVP, along with catcher Joe Mauer and right fielder Michael Cuddyer.
"I hate that rebuilding word. We've heard that a lot. We've got some players in here. We've got an MVP. We've got some guys that can drive in some runs. We've got some good athletes. I don't see it as rebuilding," Mauer said earlier this spring. I think we're going to be pretty exciting.
Veteran National League hurler Livan Hernandez will be making his first start in the American League after going 11-11 with a 4.93 ERA last season for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Angels also have questions surrounding their starting rotation as their ace, John Lackey, an all-star who went 19-9 last season with an AL-leading 3.01 ERA, sit out the first four to six weeks of the season with a shoulder injury.
Veteran Jered Weaver, who went 13-7 with a 3.91 ERA last season will get the start instead.
"It's something you look forward to, something you work for," Weaver said of his opening day start. "Obviously, it would be a little different feeling if we had all five horses healthy and ready to go. But it's still a tremendous honor, that's for sure."
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my MLB Betting Picks.
Key Angels Trends
The Angels are 5-0 in Weavers last five starts during game one of a series.
The Angels are 5-1 in Weavers last six Monday starts.
The Angels are 9-2 in Weavers last eleven starts as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Key Twins Trends
The Twins are 4-0 in their last four vs. American League West.
The Twins are 4-0 in their last four home games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
The Twins are 4-1 in their last five home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 4-0-1 in Angels last five on field turf.
The Under is 4-0-1 in Angels last five road games.
The Under is 5-1 in Angels last six vs. American League Central.
The Under is 8-1 in Twins last nine games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
The Under is 6-1 in Twins last seven games as an underdog.
The Over is 5-1 in Twins last six games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Angels are 4-0 in the last four meetings.
The Over is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings in Minnesota.
Analysis: Sure, Minnesota starter Livan Hernandez is good for 200-plus innings every year, but the correct pick here is the Los Angeles Angels despite being on the road. Once Hernandez leaves the game, expect the Angels to put some runs on the board against Minnesota’s underachieving bullpen.
MLB Free Picks: Angels 6 Twins 4
07:05 PM EST MLB Odds
Jered Weaver - R -1½ -105
Livan Hernandez - R +1½ -115
Over 9½ EV
Under 9½ -120
American League
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