Los Angeles Angels vs Boston Red Sox Prediction: Can the Red Sox Send the Angels to a 15th Straight Loss?
Los Angeles Angels vs Boston Red Sox Prediction: Can the Red Sox Send the Angels to a 15th Straight Loss?
The Los Angeles Angels started as a franchise in 1961. Since then, they have never endured a losing streak like the one they are currently amid.
After last night's 1-0 shutout loss to the Boston Red Sox, the Angels losing streak went to 14 games, breaking a franchise record of 13 straight losses set in 1988-89. The losing streak forced a shakeup within the organization, as this is now the third game the team will play under interim manager Phil Nevin.
On the other side, Boston has won seven straight. In addition, they are undefeated in June and a perfect 6-0 on a 10-game road trip. That said, one would think the Red Sox would be favored over the reeling Angels. But alas, oddsmakers have instilled Los Angeles as -130 moneyline favorites.
Does this mean oddsmakers "know something" and feel the Angels are primed to end their losing streak or is getting Boston at plus-money stealing at this point?
Read on for our prediction, best play, and odds for Thursday's series finale between the Red Sox and Angels.
Angels vs Red Sox Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
When: Thursday, June 9
Time: 9:38 pm ET
Where to Watch: FSW, NESN, MLB.TV, MLB Extra Innings
Click Here for Angels vs Red Sox Odds
Angels vs Red Sox Line Movement
Los Angeles Angels vs Boston Red Sox Prediction
Los Angeles, at one point, was 24-13 and in first place in the AL West. However, a 3-18 stretch has them barely clinging to a share of second place with the Rangers.
If losing 14 consecutive games was not bad enough, the Angels may again be without slugger Mike Trout, who exited with groin tightness. Trout was mired in an 0-for-26 stretch before he had three hits in his last four at-bats before the injury. He did not play in yesterday's game, and while the team does not fear the injury is too severe, they are likely to be cautious with their star and not rush him back. If Trout cannot play again, he would be added to a long list of players out with injury, joining Taylor Ward, Anthony Rendon, and David Fletcher. Those injuries and Trout's career-worst slump were a big reason why entering last night, Los Angeles' lineup ranked 26th in contact rate and swinging-strike rate and 24th in hard-hit rate over the previous two weeks.
While Los Angeles is banged up, Boston's lineup is relatively healthy except for Kike Hernandez going on the 10-day IL with a right hip flexor strain. However, the team got encouraging news when Xander Bogaerts batted cleanup yesterday after previously being considered day-to-day with tightness in his left shoulder.
Boston's seven-game winning streak (and seven-game overall road winning streak) is due primarily to outstanding starting pitching. On Tuesday, Garrett Whitlock allowed four runs in four innings, which broke a streak of seven consecutive games where a Boston starting pitcher allowed two earned runs or fewer. However, last night's starter, Nathan Eovaldi, promptly started a brand new streak after throwing five shutout innings.
Now it is Nick Pivetta's (5-4, 3.50) turn to keep Boston's momentum going. The Red Sox had lost Pivetta's first six starts of the season but have rebounded to win his last five. Pivetta has pitched to a 1.54 ERA over his previous five starts, allowing one or fewer runs four times. He has also been an innings-eater, throwing a complete game (one of ten pitchers to do so this year) and pitching at least six innings each time.
Los Angeles is favored mainly because Shohei Ohtani takes the mound. Ohtani (3-4, 3.99) threw a gem in his first start against the Red Sox this year, with seven scoreless innings and striking out 11 (his season-high is 12) at Fenway Park on May 5. However, he does not come in with the best momentum, as he is 0-2 with a 6.60 ERA, a WHIP of 1.60, and a 19:4 K:BB ratio in his last three starts. Boston has the tenth-best strikeout rate and having seen Ohtani just one month ago, we look for them to make the necessary adjustments this time around.
Boston 9-3 in the last 12 meetings in Los Angeles. While it is hard to sweep a team over four games, especially on the road, the Angels' slump is historic. And with all their injuries, not even a brilliant outing from Ohtani may be enough to make the difference in this game.
Los Angeles Angels vs Boston Red Sox Pick
PICK: Boston Red Sox ML (+110) (Bet $110 to win $100)
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