[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
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)
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
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)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
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.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
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.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
You may love betting on sports, but until college football and the NFL seasons officially start, the pickings can get slim. You can fill some of that time and scratch that itch at online casinos and enjoy slots, blackjack, video poker and more.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Fantasy baseball help from BaseballHQ.com:
Subscribe now to dominate the competition.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]
