Posted on
4/14/2008 4:32:03 PM
MLB Baseball Betting Trends – Struggling Rangers Host LA Angels
By Eric Williams
The Los Angeles Angels, (7-6, 8-4-1 O/U) picked up a victory in the BetUS Sportsbook on Sunday, beating the Seattle Mariners 10-5 as Vladimir Guerrero, Gary Matthews Jr. and Jeff Mathis each drove in two runs as the club pounded out a season-high 16 hits to avoid a sweep by the Mariners.
"The plane ride would have been a lot worse," starting pitcher Joe Saunders said after recording the victory. "It would have been pretty hard having to win both in Texas just to get a 2-3 record on this road trip. So to get a win and not get swept is big."
The Angels, one of the most watched teams in the BetUS sports betting community, have already lost two of three games to Texas this season and will send a pitcher to the mound in Ervin Santana (1-0, 3.00 ERA) who has generally has struggled in Texas, posting a horrific 1-4 record with a whopping 8.92 ERA in seven career starts at Rangers Ballpark.
The right-hander, whose lone win at Rangers Ballpark came on Oct. 2, 2005, did not factor in the decision Tuesday against Cleveland.
The Texas Rangers, (5-7, 4-8 O/U) have dropped three straight games in getting swept by the Toronto Blue Jays coming into tonight’s contest, including a 5-4 loss on Sunday.
The Rangers are just 2-4 during their current nine-game home stand, batting an uninspiring .246 as a team. Sunday’s game was a typical outing as the Rangers left 10 men on base.
"We had our chances," left fielder David Murphy said. "It was a tough series. Our pitching kept us in the games but our offense isn't getting it done. We're not getting the back-to-back hits. We're frustrated right now."
The Rangers will send young right-hander Jason Jennings (0-2, 7.45) to the mound looking for his first win after allowing four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings of the Rangers’ 8-1 loss to Baltimore last Tuesday.
Jennings is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in two career starts against the Angels.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Picks:
Key Angels Trends
The Angels are 4-0 in their last four games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
The Angels are 4-1 in their last five road games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
The Angels are 4-1 in their last five games as a road favorite of -110 to -150.
Key Rangers Trends
The Rangers are 4-1 in their last five home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Rangers are 7-2 in their last nine home games vs. a team with a winning record.
The Rangers are 15-6 in their last 21 home games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 4-0 in Angels last four vs. American League West.
The Over is 4-0 in Angels last four games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
The Over is 4-0 in Angels last four games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Under is 5-0 in Rangers last five when their opponent allows five runs or more in their previous game.
The Under is 4-0 in Rangers last four when their opponent scores five runs or more in their previous game.
The Under is 4-0 in Rangers last four vs. a team with a winning record.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Over is 6-1 in Santana’s last seven road starts vs. Rangers.
The Over is 8-2-1 in the last eleven meetings.
The Over is 8-2 in Santana’s last ten starts vs. Rangers.
Analysis: This game is an absolute ‘no-brainer’ for the BetUS MLB betting community. The Angels and Santana are the correct pick as they will trounce Texas by touching up Jennings early and often. Maybe it’s me, but the Rangers’ pitching staff looks like a group of NCAA college hurlers at best – again.
MLB Free Picks: Angels 8 Rangers 4
08:05 PM EST MLB Odds
Los Angeles Angels
Ervin Santana - R -1½ +135
Texas Rangers
Jason Jennings - R +1½ -155
Over 10½ -115
Under 10½ -105
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