Posted on
4/11/2008 6:17:11 PM
MLB Betting – Mariners Host Angels, Both Seek Consistency
By Eric Williams
The Los Angeles Angels, (6-4) and Seattle Mariners, (4-6) were expected to be two of the best teams in the American League this season, but have both been struggling to find consistency since the start of the regular season. Online baseball betting has had its ups and downs this past week, but lets hope the ship starts to right itself.
The Angels have alternated wins and losses in each of their last six games in the BetUS Sportsbook, including their 9-5 win over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, while the Mariners have dropped five of their last seven including a 7-0 shutout at the hands of the improved Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
Both clubs will send two of their top pitchers to the mound tonight when 22-year-old Seattle phenom Felix Hernandez, (0-0, 0.00 ERA) take the mound against Angels 25-year-old hurler Jared Weaver, (1-1, 2.03).
Though Hernandez doesn’t have a win on his record this season, he has been nothing short of outstanding in his two starts, allowing just one unearned run in 15 innings, leaving both contests with a shutout intact, including eight scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, though his team ended up losing 3-2.
"Felix did a great job," Seattle manager John McLaren said. "We just couldn't hang on."
Weaver held the Texas Rangers to three hits in seven scoreless innings in a 2-1 win on Saturday.
"Everything really wasn't that sharp," Weaver said. "It might be a little dead arm situation or what not. I don't really know what that is."
The Angels have blasted nine homers in their last four games, including four in their 9-5 win over the Indians on Wednesday.
"We're hitting home runs right now, which is good for us, but we're a situational team," said Angels catcher Mike Napoli.
The Mariners are coming off a 2-5 road trip, concluded by their emphatic loss to the Rays on Thursday.
"Now we've got to go home and get a winning streak started," McLaren said.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Wagering Free Picks:
Key Angels Trends
The Angels are 4-1 in their last five road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
The Angels are 4-0 in Weavers last four starts when their opponent allows five runs or more in their previous game.
The Angels are 6-1 in Weavers last seven Friday starts.
Key Mariners Trends
The Mariners are 7-1 in their last eight home games.
The Mariners are 6-1 in their last seven games as a home favorite.
The Mariners are 5-1 in their last six vs. American League West.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 6-0 in Angels last six when their opponent allows five runs or more in their previous game.
The Under is 6-1-2 in Angels last nine road games.
The Under is 6-1-1 in Angels last eight road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
The Under is 4-0-1 in Mariners last five games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
The Under is 7-1-1 in Mariners last nine home games.
The Under is 6-1-1 in Mariners last eight games as a home favorite.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Over is 5-0 in Weavers last five starts vs. Mariners.
The Angels are 4-1 in the last five meetings in Seattle.
The Angels are 4-1 in the last five meetings when Weaver faces Hernandez.
Analysis: I know the Angels are swinging the bats really well right now, but they won’t see many good pitches to hit from Seattle’s Felix Hernandez. I like the Mariners, behind Hernandez, a legitimate staff ace, to win this contest – if Seattle’s bullpen doesn’t cost him his third win of the season.
MLB Free Picks: Seattle 3 Los Angeles 2
10:10 PM EST MLB Odds
Los Angeles Angels
Jered Weaver - R +1½ -200
Seattle Mariners
Felix Hernandez - R -1½ +170
Over 8 -105
Under 8 -115
American League
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