The Los Angeles Angels have stormed out of the gates for the second half of the MLB regular season. The Angels have won the first two games of the second half, outscoring the Boston Red Sox 4-0 along the way. Can the AL West leaders continue their dominance? Or will the Red Sox’ bats wake up to make a dent against the Angels?
In the meantime, you can also check out the complete previews for the Pirates vs. Royals and Mariners vs. Tigers for more on today’s Major League action.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview
Where: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
When: Monday, July 20, 5:05 PM ET
Line: Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Boston Red Sox
Bats have gone cold for the Boston Red Sox. They have yet to score in this series after totaling seven hits in back-to-back losses post All-Star Break. Xander Bogaerts, who’s batting a team-high .302, snapped an 11-game hitting streak by going 0 for 4 on Saturday, while Beantown’s home runs (19) and RBI (46) leader Hanley Ramirez is 0 for 7 in this series.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Dustin Pedroia may breathe some life at the plate; he’s 4 for 9 in his career against Los Angeles starter Hector Santiago. But Pedroia is currently 0 for 8 in this series after missing the past 16 games due to a right hamstring injury. Slugger David Ortiz may struggle against Santiago after going 0 for 3 on Saturday. He’s a league-worst .144 against left-handers.
Speaking of left-handers, the Red Sox may finally be able to break their four-game losing streak with left-handed rookie Eduardo Rodriguez (5-2, 3.59 ERA) on the mound this afternoon. Rodriguez is 3-0 with a 0.69 ERA in his first four career road starts. He’s 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last three games overall just prior to the break.
The Red Sox have lost three of their last four on the road.
Betting on the Los Angeles Angels
No two Angels batters are hotter than Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun. Trout was on an eight-game hitting streak, in which he went 13 for 31 with six homers and 12 RBIs before being held hitless in four at-bats on Saturday. Trout homered in the bottom of the ninth to win the series opener Friday. Meanwhile, Calhoun is batting .354 with five homers and 13 RBIs in his last 11 games. He went deep twice in Saturday’s 3-0 victory.
On the mound, Hector Santiago (6-4, 2.33 ERA) will attempt to help the Angels post three straight shutouts for the first time since 1974. Santiago is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in his last four starts, allowing just one run in a July 10 victory over Seattle.
Santiago may meet his match in the Red Sox, though. He is 0-3 with a 3.63 ERA in four career starts against Boston. Red Sox short stop Bogaerts is 3 for 5 with a double in his career against the Angels left-hander.
The Angels have won seven of their last 10 against Boston at Angel Stadium.
Writer’s Prediction
The Angels take one step closer to sweeping this four-game set against Boston. Create a betting account now and get in on Major League action as the baseball season goes full speed ahead.
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