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The Los Angeles Angels (54-72) and Kansas City Royals (70-56) wrap up a 3-game series Wednesday. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is set for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Angels vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Royals lead 4-2
The Angels won 9-5 in the 2nd game of the series, cashing as a heavy underdog (+174) as the Over (7.5) cashed. That halted a 3-game losing skid. Los Angeles is also just 3-8 in the past 11 outings, while the Under has a 5-3 edge in the previous 8 contests.
The Royals saw their 5-game winning streak snapped Tuesday. The offense has been on fire for most of the season, ranking 6th in the majors with 4.88 runs per game, while posting a .257 team batting average to rank 5th in the league.
Despite splitting the Over-Under in the 1st 2 games of the series, the Over is 9-3-1 in the past 13 games for the Royals. The Over is 8-1 in the past 9 games at home, too.
Angels at Royals projected starters
RHP Johnny Cueto vs. RHP Michael Lorenzen
Cueto, who signed a free-agent minor-league deal in late July, makes his season and Angels debut. The 38-year-old veteran was unable to make it back to the majors with the Texas Rangers earlier this season. The right-hander went 1-4 with a 6.02 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 10 starts and 3 relief appearances last season with the Miami Marlins.
- 2023 road splits (w/Marlins): 1-1, 5.57 ERA (21 IP, 13 ER), .253 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 1.33 WHIP, 8 BB, 17 K in 4 starts (5 appearances)
- Career vs. Royals: 2-3, 3.43 ERA (42 IP, 16 ER), 1.43 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 in 7 starts
- Last start: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 4-2 road victory for Marlins vs. New York Mets Sept. 27, 2023
Lorenzen (6-6, 3.68 ERA) makes his 22nd start and 23rd appearance. He has a 1.28 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 6.6 K/9 in 117 1/3 IP with Rangers and Royals.
- Last start: Win, 5 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K in 7-1 road victory vs. Cincinnati Reds Friday
- 2024 home splits: 1-2, 3.48 ERA (44 IP, 17 ER), 1.25 WHIP, .222 OBA, 8 HR, 20 BB, 32 K in 8 starts
- Career vs. Angels: 1-3, 5.13 ERA (26 1/3 IP, 15 ER), 1.41 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 4 starts (8 appearances)
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Angels at Royals odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:31 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Angels +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Royals -178 (bet $178 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Angels +1.5 (-126) | Royals -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +100 | U: -122)
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Angels at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Royals 7, Angels 4
Moneyline
The ROYALS (-178) are a little on the pricey side, but if you’re a conservative bettor, take the home side.
The Angels (+150) cannot be trusted with Cueto making his way back to the majors. The 38-year-old is a shell of his former self. He struggled in Miami last season, and he couldn’t make his way from Triple-A Round Rock to the majors with the Rangers organization, opting out for what might be his final chance with the Halos.
Run line/Against the spread
If you’re a little more adventurous, back the ROYALS -1.5 (+105) at plus-money, rather than playing the moneyline.
Lorenzen pitched well last time out against the Reds, and overall he has a sub-4.00 ERA this season. He’ll be able to outpitch the veteran Cueto, who might have significant rust.
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Over/Under
OVER 9.5 (+100) is a decent play, with the Royals likely to do most of the heavy lifting against the erratic Cueto.
The Royals have hit the Over at an 11-4-1 pace in the past 16 games, while going 8-1 in the past 9 outings at home, and 10-2 in the past 12 at Kauffman Stadium.
For the Angels, they’ve cashed low at a 5-3 pace in the past 8 outings, but that’s mostly due to a lack of offense. L.A. has allowed 5.4 runs per game across the past 10 outings, and that isn’t likely to change with Cueto on the bump.
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