The second leg of Wednesday night’s ESPN doubleheader takes MLB bettors by the Bay where the San Francisco Giants will look to hold serve against the Los Angeles Angels in the third game of this extended four-game series. Neither team entered Monday night’s opener in good form with the Halos just getting the brooms busted out on them by the Dodgers in the Freeway Series, while the Gigantes allowed the A’s to stage a pair of ninth inning comebacks before getting slaughtered in the finale to drop a fourth straight series. Though only one of these squads has hemorrhaged money for their supporters at online sportsbooks to this point of the season, it hardly comes as a surprise to see each bringing up the rear of their respective divisions. This could be one of the rare times that San Francisco is lined a favorite this season with Johnny Cueto set to square off against left-hander Patrick Sandoval.
First pitch for the game between the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at 9:45 p.m. ET from Oracle Park. The matchup will be shown live on ESPN. You can bet on MLB Odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
Odds Analysis
There was reason for optimism in Anaheim for 2020 with Joe Maddon at the helm. Unfortunately, his presence hasn’t changed much of anything with LA managing just seven wins through its first 22 tries which has equated to over $900 in losses for their wagering supporters. Nobody expected San Francisco to do much of anything this season playing in what was expected to be an ultra-competitive NL West pennant race. That said, it can be argued that Gabe Kapler’s troops have overachieved just a bit; though the team entered this series seven-games under the breakeven point, it’s still $22 in the black overall. If you feel like making a charitable donation to your respective sportsbook, the Angels are currently lined at +5000 to win the World Series and +2500 to win the American League, while the Giants check in at 150-1 and 100-1 respectively.
Probable Pitchers
Patrick Sandoval: The lefty absorbed a second straight defeat last time out versus the Los Angeles Dodgers who roughed him up for six hits (1 HR) and five runs (4 ER) through six innings. To date, Sandoval is 0-2 but has only allowed 14 hits through 16 total innings and racked up a 13:4 K/BB ratio in the process. His 3.94 ERA and .226 BAA are highly commendable, and it doesn’t look terribly fluky either with his FIP clocking in at 4.70. His slider and changeup were excellent last time out in registering 47 and 30 percent called strikes + whiff rates, but LA teed off on his fastball which was left in the heart of the plate all too often. He best clean that up tonight with the Giants ranked No. 15 against LHP and averaging 5.3 runs per game against them.
Johnny Cueto: The veteran right-hander is likely going to be traded to a contender at some point this season. His 4.62 ERA is right in line with his 4.72 FIP, so Cueto isn’t getting it done with smoke and mirrors. He’s conceded just 19 hits through 25.1 innings of work to go along with 19 strikeouts. What has been problematic however is a 3.9 BB/9 rate which is the main reason why he’s been tagged for 13 ER. He was in line to register a second straight win against the A’s last time out after tossing seven innings of 2 ER ball, but closer Trevor Gott gave up a grand slam in the ninth to muck it all up. Cueto has been great the first time through the order, decent the second time, and terrible the third. Live bettors best gauge his pitch count every time he takes the bump!
Player Prop Targets
Donovan Solano and Mike Yastrzemski have been taking it to south paws this season. The former is batting .348 with a .835 OPS while the latter is batting .310 with a robust 1.256 OPS to go along with eight extra base hits (3 HR) and 7 RBI. Each are high quality player prop targets and will likely also be added to numerous DFS lineups as well. Mike Trout is 1-for-9 lifetime against Cueto with 3 strikeouts, so you might not want to pony up big bucks to back him in the futures market regardless of how electric his bat is currently. Instead, look the way of Justin Upton who has tallied six hits in 22 at-bats with a pair of doubles and home runs to go along with a pair of RBI and four walks. A showdown with Cueto just might wake his ice cold bat up.
MLB Pick
I like what I’ve seen from Sandoval to this point. He’s gone six innings in two of his three made starts, and already has six innings of 2 ER ball allowed under his belt in his first outing away from the Big A. As putrid the Angels bullpen has been to this point of the season (No. 17), it’s still light years better than a Giants outfit that ranks second to last overall with a 6.52 ERA and has blown saves in five of 10 overall opportunities. The Angels will be live dogs on the live betting lines should the Giants own a lead once Cueto departs. Regardless, look for the Halos to come out the victor and for some runs to hit the board; especially once both starting pitchers head for the showers.
MLB Odds: Angels 7, Giants 5
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
