The Los Angeles Angels (17-17 SU, -1.97 Units) are clearly on the short end of the scheduling stick this week.
They'll be stuck with the Monday afternoon Victoria Day battle against the Toronto Blue Jays (17-18 SU, -1.84 Units) to kick off this series.
ODDS ANALYSIS
After winning five of their first seven away games, the road has been awfully unkind to LA. The Halos have dropped six of their last eight, and have averaged just 2.88 runs per game in the process.
However, thanks to the fact that they’re considered one of the more public teams in the league right now, they have only been bigger than a +108 underdog once in that stretch, that coming against Sonny Gray, one of the best young pitchers in the game.
PITCHING MATCHUP
C.J. Wilson has really only had one bad start this year, that coming against the Royals on April 12. His 2-2 record isn't indicative of the rest of his numbers. He has a 3/1 K/BB ratio, and his 2.63 ERA and 1.00 WHIP are the best numbers he’s posted in quite some time.
Aaron Sanchez has had some moments of brilliance this year for the Jays, such as when he allowed just two hits in seven shutout innings against the Red Sox on May 8. Still, we're concerned about his control. He already has 29 walks this year against just 25 strikeouts, and if that continues, he'll be back in the minors quickly.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I felt like I had good command of my changeup. My curveball wasn't really where I wanted it. Fastball command was better, but like I said, I'll take the good from this start, move on and be ready for my next start." – Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez on his Wednesday night start against the Orioles in which he allowed five runs in 5.2 innings
SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Angels are only averaging 2.53 walks per game this year, and only Mike Trout is on a pace for more than 50 walks this season. Patience is going to be key against Sanchez, and we don't know if the Halos really have that or not. They could turn up empty in a lot of crucial spots as a result.
PROP TALK
While we're speaking of Trout, we think that he is going to end up struggling in this game as well. He might get on base via balls, but he only has one extra base hit in his last five games and isn't worth betting at his inflated prices until he proves that he can turn things around.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This is really a matter of the Halos being ready to play this game. They will only have three days on the East Coast to prepare for this one, and after playing three games in Baltimore, this is a really quick turnaround time to play yet another afternoon game in Toronto on Monday after doing so in Baltimore on Sunday.
The pitching matchup does favor the Angels, and they'll probably be favored in this game as a result, but we think everything else plays into the hands of the Jays for a Victoria Day victory.
Toronto 5, Los Angeles 3
The MLB lines for this Monday contest will be first released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker's live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Los Angeles Angels versus the Toronto Blue Jays will commence at 1:07 p.m. ET on Monday, May 18, 2015 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The matchup will be televised live on the MLB Network.
