MLB Baseball
2013-05-24 - Los Angeles Angels at Kansas City Royals
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: MLB Baseball
Friday 24 May 2013 - First Pitch 8:10pm
1:10am (British Time)
Preview
Since the beginning of last season, the Los Angeles Angels (20-27) have invested a lot of money into their playing staff, but have failed to reap the rewards. The signing of Josh Hamilton was supposed to see the Angels challenge his former club, the Texas Rangers, for the American League West title, but it has been another slow start for Los Angeles.
However, there have been signs of a turnaround coming for the Angels as they look to take game 2 of this four game series against the Kansas City Royals (21-23). Los Angeles took game 1 with a 5-4 win last night.
Los Angeles have won their last 5 games and they have banged in 42 runs in those games as one of the more powerful batting lineups in the Major Leagues have got going. They had 3 Home Runs yesterday and could provide another tough home outing for the Kansas City starting pitcher Luis Mendoza.
Mendoza is 1-2 with a 5.50 ERA this season, although he is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in his last three starts. However, his three starts against the Angels has seen Mendoza go 1-1 with a 9.75 ERA despite giving up just 3 runs against them earlier this month.
The Angels will feel a little more confident thanks to them sending Jason Vargas to the mound, a pitcher that has produced a lot of good stuff in his recent outings. Vargas started the season with a 0-2 record and a 6.75 ERA in his first three starts, but he is 3-1 with a 2.47 in his last six.
Vargas is coming off a performance last Sunday when he gave up just 4 hits and held the Chicago White Sox scoreless through seven innings. The pitcher has also gone 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA in his appearances against the Royals after being destroyed the first time he played against them.
That includes holding Kansas City to 2 runs from 7 innings pitched against them earlier this month.
Head to Head
The season series between these two teams is now tied at 2-2.
Kansas City have lost 3 of their last 4 home games against the LA Angels following a run of 5 wins from 6 games.
Prediction
The LA Angels seem to have a significant edge on the mound in this one so I do think they are capable of winning the game.
The Pick :
Kansas City Royals 3-6 Los Angeles Angels
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Los Angeles Angels @ 1.85
