Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners Betting Preview
Saturday features a doubleheader between AL West rivals as the Los Angeles Angels (45-61) take on the Seattle Mariners (57-50). Focusing on the second game of the day-night doubleheader, the first pitch from T-Mobile Park is scheduled for 10:10 pm ET.
The first game of this four-game series provided plenty of fireworks as the Mariners rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to force extra innings. Unfortunately for Mariners’ fans, it wasn’t enough as the Angels won the game in the 10th inning.
In the start for the Angels, Patrick Sandoval pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and four walks while striking out five.
Offensively, Max Stassi hit his seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot in the ninth inning. Taylor Ward was credited with the winning RBI as he hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, scoring Magneruris Sierra.
For Seattle, Robbie Ray had a nice outing going seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out 10. Paul Sewald took the loss allowing the unearned run to score in extras.
The Mariners’ offense was sluggish for most of this game, but they did manage to rally in the ninth, capped off by a Ty France two-run single to tie it up. Their struggles continued in extra innings, though, as they weren’t able to get the run home from second.
The Mariners are the favorite in the second game of the doubleheader. They are -152 to win while the Angels’ moneyline sits at +128. The runline features Los Angeles +1.5 (-170), and the over/under for total runs is seven.
Angels Playing For Pride
At 45-61, it has been a miserable season for the Los Angeles Angels. They sit fourth in the AL West, 24 games behind the Houston Astros. Their record gives them the fourth-worst record in the AL despite having arguably two of the best players in baseball in Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.
Unfortunately, between a roster that lacks depth and a litany of injuries that have included Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, the Angels were forced to sell off pieces at the deadline. Now, with the postseason out of the picture, the Angels are playing for pride and the desire to play spoiler for some of their league rivals.
Taking the mound in the second game Saturday will be 23-year-old lefty Reid Detmers. In 16 games this season, he is 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, and he has 75 strikeouts in 82 innings.
Detmers has been solid as of late. In his last three outings, he has given up just three runs in a combined 18 innings of work. In that span, he has allowed just 11 hits while striking out 24.
On the offensive side, Shohei Ohtani continues to plague opposing pitchers. In 385 at bats, he is hitting .257/.350/.504 with a team-leading 24 home runs, 64 runs batted in, and 60 runs scored. He also has stolen 11 bases.
Mariners Trying To Secure Postseason Bid
The Seattle Mariners hold the dubious title of being the franchise that has the longest drought since their last postseason appearance of any of the major professional sports leagues in North America. The last time that they were in the playoffs was 2001, but that is a streak they are hoping to end this season.
At 57-50, the Mariners sit 12.5 games back of the Houston Astros, but they currently hold the third Wild Card spot. With the Baltimore Orioles just 1.5 games back, though, the Mariners know that every win is important as they come down the home stretch of the regular season.
Trying to pick up the win in the second game Saturday will be righty Chris Flexen. In 20 games, the 28-year-old is 7-8 with a 3.73 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and has 76 strikeouts in 111 innings.
In his last start, Flexen took a no-decision after allowing two runs in 5.1 innings to the Houston Astros. In that start, he allowed three hits and four walks while striking out one.
Especially with Julio Rodriguez out with a hand injury, getting first baseman Ty France back in the lineup is huge for Seattle. In 349 at bats, he is hitting .307/.378/.473 with 13 home runs, 54 runs batted in, and 39 runs scored.
Take The Angels On The Runline
Anytime that you are looking at the second game of a doubleheader, it is always important to understand that the first game could have significant ramifications.
For instance, the Angels are going with a bullpen game in the first game of the day, so if Reid Detmers gets in trouble, it could be tough for manager Phil Nevin to navigate through an entire second game.
Still, one thing that Reid Detmers has shown is that he can keep his team in games. Not only has he thrown a no-hitter and an immaculate inning this year, but he has been really solid over his last four starts, not allowing more than two runs in any of the four.
With a potentially thin bullpen, it is hard to take Los Angeles straight up, but taking them on the runline should give a bit more security. Take the Angels +1.5 (-170).