The Boston Red Sox (5-8) host the Los Angeles Angels (7-5) on Friday for the 1st game of a 4-game set. First pitch from Fenway Park will be at 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Angels vs. Red Sox odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Red Sox won 4 of 7 vs. Angels in 2022
The Angels are on 2-game winning streak after taking the last 2 of 3 from the Washington Nationals. They are tied with the Texas Rangers for the lead in the AL West. Los Angeles has the 5th-best ERA (3.70) in baseball and has plated the 8th-most runs (65).
The Red Sox were swept by the league-leading Tampa Bay Rays in a 4-game series, which came after Boston swept the Detroit Tigers in 3 straight games. The Red Sox have scored the 4th-most runs (71) in MLB, but their team ERA of 5.42 ranks 26th. They were outscored by the Rays 26-12 in their 4-game series, only scoring more than 3 runs once.
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Los Angeles Angels at Boston Red Sox projected starters
LHP Patrick Sandoval vs. RHP Tanner Houck
Sandoval (1-0, 1.64 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.000 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 3.3 K/9 in 11 IP.
- Has allowed just 1 ER in each of his 1st 2 starts, going 5 IP and 6 IP
- One career start against the Red Sox: 4 ER in just 4 2/3 IP
Houck (2-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.100 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 10 IP.
- Won his 1st 2 starts this season, but hasn’t gone more than 5 innings, allowed 3 ER in his 1st start and 2 ER in the 2nd
- Has never faced the Angels in his career
Angels at Red Sox odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:43 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Angels -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Red Sox +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Angels -1.5 (+135) | Red Sox +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Angels at Red Sox picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Sox 5, Angels 4
Moneyline
We shouldn’t put a ton of stock in the Red Sox getting swept by the Rays. After all, Tampa Bay hasn’t lost to anyone yet this year, and the Rays are flat-out blowing teams out of the water. That being said, the Red Sox’s pitching staff has been an issue.
Fortunately, they get Houck in this game against the Angels, their most reliable starter thus far. I think he’ll be their stopper in this matchup and end their losing skid. BET RED SOX (+100) to win outright at home.
Run line/Against the spread
I do like the Red Sox to win this matchup, but the run line isn’t worth betting at +1.5 with a line of -160. You’re better off taking Boston to win straight-up at even money. They only kept 1 of their 4 losses to the Rays within 1 run, losing the other 3 by a combined 13 runs.
PASS.
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Over/Under
Both of these pitchers have performed relatively well early in the season, though Sandoval’s strikeout numbers point to a lot of contact made by opponents. Neither is walking batters at a very high rate, either, which helps keep runners off the basepaths.
Though the total has gone Over in the Red Sox’s last 3 games, that was primarily because of the Rays’ bats. I would LEAN UNDER 9.5 (-115) in this matchup between Sandoval and Houck.
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