Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview
Where: Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
When: Friday, July 21, 2017, 10:07 PM ET
Line: Boston Red Sox (-205) at Los Angeles Angels (+175); total: 7.5– view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: NESN, FSW
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Betting on the Boston Red Sox (54-43)
The Boston Red Sox had their two-game unbeaten run snapped on Thursday with a gut-wrenching 8-6 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays in their series finale. The eight-time World Series champs had no answer for Justin Smoak who homered twice for the Jays. With the loss, Boston’s lead atop the AL East standings has been whittled down to 2.5 games.
The Red Sox will look to return to winning ways when they face the Los Angeles Angels later tonight. Starting for Boston in this American League matchup is left-hander Chris Sale (11-4, 2.59 ERA). He dazzled in his last start against the New York Yankees, striking out a season-high 13 batters in 7.2 scoreless innings. The Boston ace now has 13 double-digit strikeout games this season, which is six away from tying the club’s single-season record held by the great Pedro Martinez.
As fabulous as Sale has been this season, he can’t do it all by himself. The lefty has not received adequate run support recently with the Red Sox scoring just 13 runs in his last four starts. His last performance against the Yankees was laid to waste with New York outlasting Boston in an epic 16-inning marathon. The onus then is on the Boston hitters to drive in some runs against LA. Expected to lead the Red Sox offense in the series opener against the Angels is Hanley Ramirez. The 33-year-old is 3-of-7 (.429) in his career against Angels starter Ricky Nolasco with a homer and four RBIs. He’s batting just .179, however, in his last seven appearances.
The Red Sox are 6-4 in their last 10 road games.
Betting on the Los Angeles Angels (47-50)
Things are looking up for the Los Angeles Angels after salvaging a series split with the powerhouse Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Alex Meyer stood tall for the Angels in the series finale, allowing just one hit and a walk over a career-high seven shutout innings. It was an incredible performance by the Angels who held the Nationals scoreless for just the second time this season.
The Angels will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they lock horns with the Boston Red Sox later tonight. Pitching for LA in the series opener is Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 4.82 ERA). He produced one of his best performances of the season in his last start against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing just one run on two hits over seven innings of action. Nolasco wasn’t rewarded for it, though, as the Angels absorbed a heart-breaking 2-1 defeat. That showing will serve him in good stead, though, heading into Friday’s clash with the Red Sox. The 34-year-old right-hander is 3-2 with a 5.68 ERA in seven career starts against Boston.
The Angels are 4-6 in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Sale leads the Red Sox (-205) to a bounce-back win.
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