How to Bet Angels vs Rangers MLB Spread & Game Analysis.

How to Bet Angels vs Rangers MLB Spread & Game Analysis

Written by on April 17, 2019

No position player in the major leagues affects an MLB Betting line more than Angels superstar Mike Trout. He finally returned from a groin injury on Monday and should be in there Wednesday in Texas. I’m sure the Rangers and pitcher Lance Lynn hope not.

Angels vs Rangers MLB Spread & Game Analysis

Diamondbacks vs Braves MLB Odds, Preview & Expert Pick

Why Bet on LA Angels?

Star Mike Trout hurt his groin last Tuesday and returned Monday vs. Texas, going 0-for-2 with three walks and two runs in the Angels’ 12-7 loss to the Rangers. Trout was eased back into action as the Angels’ designated hitter and made a huge impact on offense without even recording a hit. The Angels could limit Trout’s usage in the outfield and encourage him to act conservatively on the basepaths until the groin issue is further in the rear-view mirror. Trout is one of four players since the end of World War II with three 10-WAR seasons, joining Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, and Mickey Mantle.

DH and reigning Rookie of the Year Shohei Ohtani (elbow) was cleared to face live pitching in a week after visiting the doctor on Monday. Ohtani has come along without issue in his hitting progression and has also been long-tossing as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. The hope remains that he will be ready to serve as the Angels’ primary designated hitter sometime next month.

The Angels have eight players on the injured list: Ohtani, JC Ramírez and Keynan Middleton are rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Nick Tropeano (shoulder), Michael Hermosillo (hernia), Taylor Cole (shoulder), Justin Upton (turf toe) and Andrew Heaney (elbow) are also out.

It’s Matt Harvey (0-1, 10.05) on the bump. Harvey is coming off a disappointing start vs. Milwaukee where he allowed six runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. The right-hander has given up 14 runs in his last 8 1/3 innings. Harvey isn’t generating strikeouts, he’s walking too many batters and he’s allowed far too many hits, especially of the home run variety. Hitters are not only hitting the ball harder (91 mph) but they’re barreling up more baseballs (10 percent) and lifting the ball more (12.7-degree launch angle). Those are all recipes for disaster.

Harvey is getting ripped apart by both handed hitters but more-so by left-handed hitters. In 36 plate appearances, lefties have hit .357/.500/.786 with three home runs while walking seven times.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Runs: 3.88
  • Hits: 6.65
  • Walks: 3.65
  • Strike Outs: 5.71

Defense

  • Runs: 4.35
  • Hits: 8.29
  • Walks: 3.12
  • Strike Outs: 7.76

Why Bet on Texas?

The Rangers recently lost second baseman Rougned Odor to the 10-day injured list. Odor has batted .167 with no home runs and 2 RBI in 12 games for the Rangers this season. He started each of the club’s first 11 contests at second base. It is just Odor’s second career trip to the injured list, as he was also out from April 10-May 10, 2018 with a left hamstring strain. The first date he would be eligible to return is April 21.

Texas ranks fourth in the majors with an average of 6 runs per game at home, matching Houston for highest avg. in the A.L. to only 3 N.L. clubs: LAD (6.80), NYM (6.40), and MIL (6.29). The Rangers’.794 home OPS is 3rd in A.L. and 7th in MLB, and batters have hit .333 with RISP in Arlington.

Angels vs Rangers should be a close one.

However, the Rangers need more from their rotation. They have gotten starts of more than five innings five times. And that’s simply not going to cut it. It’s been a nice start for the Rangers where the won-loss record is concerned, but unless the full starting rotation starts getting deeper into games, there is going to be a heavy price to pay in the bullpen sooner or later.

It’s Lance Lynn on the mound here. Lynn (1-1) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings in Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks. Lynn kept his mates in the game as Arizona starter Robbie Ray no-hit the Rangers through five innings. The bats eventually came alive, putting up runs in each of the final four innings to make a winner of Lynn.

Lynn is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in his last two starts. In 13 innings, he walked three and struck out 14. He allowed two runs in seven innings in a 3-1 loss to the Angels on April 5 and is 0-2 with a 4.56 ERA in four career starts against them.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Runs: 5.56
  • Hits: 8.38
  • Walks: 3.75
  • Strike Outs: 9.38

Defense

  • Runs: 5.12
  • Hits: 9.00
  • Walks: 4.25
  • Strike Outs: 7.12

Angels vs Rangers MLB Betting Trends

  • Rangers are 5-2 in their last 7 home games vs. a right-handed starter
  • Angels are 4-1 in their last 5 during game 3 of a series
  • LA is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
  • LA is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
  • The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Angels’ last 10 games on the road
  • Texas is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home
  • Texas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
  • The total has gone OVER in 10 of Texas’s last 14 games at home

Expert Final Score Prediction for Angels vs Rangers

LA Angels 4 – Texas Rangers 5