Two struggling teams look to snap out of their recent funk when the Cleveland Indians visit the Los Angeles Angels in the middle of a three-game set. The Angels experienced their first winless road trip of at least six games since 1999 after dropping the Freeway Series and fell further behind the Astros in the AL West.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Two weeks ago the Angels were cruising, overtaking the Astros for first place in the AL West and looking unbeatable. My how things have changed. The Angels had their biggest division lead of the season following a win over Minnesota on July 22, their seventh straight. They proceeded to lose three of the next four on that homestand and came up empty during a six-game road trip that included sweeps by the Astros and Dodgers. The Halos were down 9.74 units on the moneyline during that horrific 10-game stretch and scored just 15 runs during their winless trip. A return home could be a boost for the Angels, who are 11-4 in their last 15 at the Big A and 32-21 there overall, up 5.30 units on the moneyline.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Carlos Carrasco (11-8, 4.03 ERA) beat the A’s on Thursday with a complete game, allowing one run on two hits. Both hits came in the first inning and Carrasco was never threatened, striking out seven with one walk in the 103-pitch gem. He’s now given up just one run in each of his last three road starts going 2-0 with a 1.14 ERA and 26 strikeouts over 23.2 innings.
Carrasco has a string of 14 scoreless innings against the Halos dating back to his last start against them on Apr. 13, 2011. His last four appearances against them have all been in relief.
Matt Shoemaker (5-7, 4.24 ERA) blanked the Astros on three hits over seven innings in a no-decision on Thursday. He hasn’t allowed a run since the All-Star break giving up just five hits with 17 strikeouts in 13 innings of two starts. His resurgence on the mound couldn’t have come at a better time for the Halos with C.J. Wilson’s injury possibly shelving him for the season.
In his only start against the Indians, Shoemaker tossed eight innings of five-hit ball with 10 strikeouts in a 9-3 win on June 17, 2014.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“We’re the same team that was winning baseball games a week ago. It’s a rough stretch. We’re not pleased with it, we’re not happy about it. But there is nothing we can do about the last 10 days. All we have to do is focus and try to get a win. One win turns into two, and then we’re back in it.” – Angels’ catcher Chris Iannetta after the team lost for the ninth time in 10 games.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
The way these teams are playing offense and producing runs recently, don’t expect a high scoring series. The Indians are still entertaining thoughts of postseason play but that will require a major improvement from their offense. The Tribe is hitting .236 and averaging 2.6 runs during a 3-8 stretch. Cleveland had a .202 average and totaled seven runs while settling for a four-game split with Oakland after a 2-1, 10-innings loss Sunday. Their offense takes a big hit with All-Star Jason Kipnis – the team leader with a .326 average – expected to go on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. The Angels hold the first wild card spot but are making things interesting the AL. the team is hitting just .194 and has totaled 15 runs during a six-game slide that’s part of a 1-9 stretch. They lost to the Dodgers on Sunday finishing their first winless trip of six or more games since 1999.
PROP TALK
While Mike Trout and Albert Pujols get the bulk of the attention in the Angels lineup, Kole Calhoun has been productive in his own right slashing .279/.333/.437. The Halos’ right fielder was one of a few players to hit the baseball during the team’s winless road trip going 7 for 21 with a home run in five games. He didn’t start Saturday’s game against Dodgers’ lefty Clayton Kershaw, but entered as a pinch hitter and drew a walk. Calhoun is a lifetime .400 hitter against Cleveland pitching with 14 hits, including a pair of home runs, in 35 at-bats.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
At least the Angels didn’t have to travel too far to get back home after their winless six-game road trip ended with a loss to the Dodgers in the Freeway Series. They’ll get another crack at them next month, but in the meantime the Halos need to get back to their winning ways. Taking on the Indians at home might be just what they need. Matt Shoemaker has been solid and finds himself back in the rotation after C.J. Wilson’s injury and the Indians have had a worse time producing runs than the Angels. It looks like the Tribe will be without their offensive star Jason Kipnis and that’s a huge blow for a struggling team.
Los Angeles 4, Cleveland 1
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
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 Cleveland Indians versus the Los Angeles Angels will commence Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at 10:05 p.m. ET at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The game will be televised live on STO and FSW.
