Garrett Richards (3-2, 2.29 ERA) starts for the Los Angeles Angels (21-20) as they square off against Rick Porcello (4-2, 4.26 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (19-22) in the first of a three-game series at Fenway Park. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 22 and can be seen on FSN-W, NESN and MLB Network.
Porcello is 4-4 with a 6.52 ERA in his appearances against the Angels, but goes up against a below-average Los Angeles offense which is batting just .232 this season. Richards is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA against the Red Sox in his career. He takes on a below-average Boston offense that’s batting just .233. Mike Trout (.295, 33 Rs, 11 HRs, 22 RBIs, 7 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Angels, going 2 for 3 yesterday with two runs.
Boston is a slim -108 favorite at home against Los Angeles. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at eight runs for this matchup. The Red Sox have an overall money line of -498 and a record as the favorite of 10-12. The Red Sox have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.7 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 3.9 runs per game. Boston’s batters do not strike out very often at home, with only 6.2 per game. Boston’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 3.1 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.7.
In games where it is the underdog, Los Angeles has a 8-8 record and an overall money line of +16. They played solid baseball as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 4-1 record, and a 7-3 record SU. Los Angeles’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL, with a 3.48 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Angels are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.17 for the season.
The Red Sox have a 14-15 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Richards takes the mound. Porcello (RHP) will be on the hill against the Angels, who have a 14-16 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA, O/U – Under
Notes
Boston has won 44% (7-9) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Los Angeles has won 58% (11-8) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Red Sox are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Angels have a 9-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 4-20. The Angels have a 5-14 record when opponents outhit them.
Los Angeles ranks in the top half of the league at 14th when it comes to home runs, hitting 37 this season. Boston ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 41.
Boston and Los Angeles both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Boston sits at 13th with 8.03 hits per game and Los Angeles ranks 14th with 7.63.
Ranking 30th, Los Angeles is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.646). Boston ranks near the bottom at 24th with an OPS of .678.
When the Angels allow at least one home run, they are 9-17, well-matched with the Red Sox who are 8-21 when allowing at least one homer.
