The Los Angeles Angels (58-51) are finally beginning to get back on track, winning four of their last six games. The main focus for them now will be to remain consistent as they cling to their three-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles for the final wild card spot in the American League. They’ll look to take care of business when they open up a crucial three-game set with the Chicago White Sox (51-57) at U.S. Cellular Field this evening.
Which team will emerge triumphant? Will the Angels strengthen their hold of the AL’s second wild card slot? Or will the White Sox prevent them in doing so? Read on further for a detailed preview of this intriguing series opener.
And for more MLB action, click here to see our full breakdown between the Yankees and Indians.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox Preview
Where: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, IL
When: Monday, August 10, 8:10 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Angels (+130) vs. Chicago White Sox (-140); total: 7.0 —View all MLB Lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Angels
As we head closer and closer to the end of the 2015 regular season, every win is going to be more crucial, especially for the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels are coming off a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Orioles that put them a half game closer of the Blue Jays, who hold the first wild card seat in the American League.
The Angels will look to extend their momentum with another win tonight when they send Matt Shoemaker (5-7, 4.01 ERA) to the mound for the first game of their three-game series against the Chicago White Sox.
[sc:MLB240banner ]The time couldn’t have been any better for the Angels to have Shoemaker starting, as he has been pitching very well of late. The 28-year-old right-hander is in the midst of a 19-scoreless-innings streak, during which he’s 1-0 while scattering 10 hits along with 27 strikeouts. Furthermore, Shoemaker owns an impressive 1.69 ERA in his previous seven games (six starts). Los Angeles went 4-3 during that stretch.
Backing him up on offense is the pair of AL MVP Mike Trout and first baseman Albert Pujols, who have been the Angels’ deadliest threats at the plate this season. Trout leads the team in batting average (.305) and is batting a magnificent .328 on the road. Pujols, meanwhile, is 5-for-16 (.312) in his last four outings and has 30 homers despite only hitting .259 on the year.
But both Trout and Pujols have had a rough time versus the White Sox’s starter Chris Sale, hitting just .183 (1-for-11) and .083 (1-for-12) respectively against the lefty.
Los Angeles is 0-6 in its last six road games.
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Betting on the Chicago White Sox
The losing woes continue for the Chicago White Sox, as they lost for the third-straight time after being edged out 5-4 by Kansas City yesterday. Time is definitely beginning to run out for the White Sox, who are still hoping to end their six-year playoff drought. They are 7.5 games behind the Los Angeles Angels for the final wild card spot in the American League. A win against them tonight in their series opener could prove to be the spark that Chicago needs for a final push.
Looking to redeem himself this evening is Chris Sale (9-7, 3.52 ERA), who’ll be taking the ball for the White Sox. Sale has been a strikeout machine for majority of the season, but he’s been the total opposite of late. The 26-year-old lefty owns a dismal 7.16 ERA over his last four starts. That stretch includes his two most recent performances, wherein he’s allowed a total of 14 earned runs on 18 hits in just 10 1/3 innings logged in.
However, the White Sox could expect a bounce back game from Sale, who’s fared really well when opposing the Angels. He owns an unblemished 3-0 record with a terrific 1.45 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and .150 opponents’ batting average in six career games (four starts) against the Halos.
As for the offense, expect Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu to give Angels starter Shoemaker a tough time on the mound. Eaton has been on a tear in his last 10 games, going 12-for-33 (.363) along with four doubles. Abreu, meanwhile, boasts a team-best .293 batting average and is 8-for-27 (.296) in eight games thus far this month, which includes three homers and six RBIs to his name.
Chicago is 2-8 in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction:
The Angels (+130) win, 6-4.
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