The AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles shut down the Los Angeles Angels’ incredibly potent offense in the first two games of their three-game series. Baltimore has some offensive issues of its own, but some decent pitching has papered over those cracks. Can the O’s complete the sweep tonight or will Mike Trout and the Angels strike back?
This matchup between two of the AL’s finest is just one of a handful of great games on hand today. You can check out all of those games in our handy MLB Free Picks, and read on for more on this East-West showdown.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Baltimore Orioles vs. Los Angeles Angels Betting Preview
Where: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, California
When: Wednesday, July 23, 10:05 PM ET
Line: Baltimore Orioles (+139) at Los Angeles Angels (-154); total: 8.0 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are one win away from their first road sweep since May against the Rays.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Baltimore has taken the first two games of the series despite their big bats not hitting particularly well. Slugger Nelson Cruz has 0 RBIs in his last eight games, while Chris Davis (.201 batting average) is still right at the Mendoza Line.
Good thing center-fielder Adam Jones caught fire at the right time. The All-Star has nine RBIs in his last four games. Shortstop J.J. Hardy has also chipped in with four RBI in his last four.
The O’s starters have been more consistent than their buddies with the bats. Both Buddy Norris and Miguel Gonzalez pitched into the sixth inning while giving up two or fewer runs to keep the team in position to win the previous two games.
Tonight’s starter, Chris Tillman (7-5, 4.03 ERA), looks set to continue that trend of consistency. He’s gone past the sixth inning in seven of his last eight starts, and hasn’t given up over three runs since his June 5.
The Orioles are 6-1 in their last seven games vs. L.A.
Betting on the Los Angeles Angels
The high-powered Angels offense which leads the league in runs has begun the second half of the season very slowly. After producing four runs in the first two games of the series with Baltimore, the Angels have now scored just 15 runs in their last five games (but a total of 55 innings) of baseball.
All five of those games have come at home, as the total has now gone under in seven of their last 10 home games. However, the Angels, who have the second-best home record (34-18) in MLB, haven’t lost three games in a row since their first series of the season.
If they’re to continue that streak, Mike Trout will need more help on offense. After having his nine-game hit streak ended on Monday, Trout came back strong yesterday by supplying the team’s only runs with a two-run homer, his 24th of the season.
Jered Weaver (10-6, 3.43 ERA) takes the mound for the Angels tonight. Weaver has bounced back well in his first two starts since exiting in the second inning in his start against Toronto last July 7 due to a back problem. He pitched 13 innings and gave up four earned runs in those two starts.
The Angels need Weaver to go as deep as possible in this start to give their overworked bullpen a break. LA’s relievers have pitched 23.2 innings in the last five days.
Writer’s Prediction
Los Angeles’ offense breaks out of its mini-slump while Weaver keeps Cruz and the rest of the O’s silent. Take the Angels (-154) to win at home. Create a betting account today and get your fill of MLB action all season long.
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