In the first of a two-game series between the Los Angeles Angels (32-31) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (32-31) at Angel Stadium, Jered Weaver (4-6, 4.61 ERA) and Robbie Ray (1-1, 1.53 ERA) get the start. The game starts at 10:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Jun. 15 and will air on FSN-AZ and FSN-W.
In his most recent outing, Weaver pitched 7.2 innings, giving up four runs, striking out one and walking three in a 4-2 loss to the Rays. Albert Pujols (.276, 35 Rs, 18 HRs, 34 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one RBI. The Diamondbacks were also unsuccessful the last time Ray pitched. He had a good outing, pitching, going 6.2 innings, allowing two runs, striking out four and walking four in a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers. Paul Goldschmidt (.359, 48 Rs, 17 HRs, 50 RBIs, 10 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Diamondbacks, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run and one stolen base.
Los Angeles is a -135 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Angels are 20-16 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -124. They come into the game with an impressive record as the favorite in games (3-2) but an underwhelming record SU (3-5) against the NL. Los Angeles has averaged 2.6 runs per game during interleague play, lower than its season average of 4.0. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, ranking fifth in the AL with an average of only 7.2 strikeouts per game. Turning to the pitching staff, the Angels don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking fifth in the league with a 1.20 WHIP.
On the other side, the Diamondbacks have a record of 19-23 when they are the underdog and are +five overall with the money line. They have played poorly as the underdog as of late. They managed a 2-5 record when playing as the underdog and an SU record of 5-5. Arizona is a terror on the base paths, ranking second in the MLB with 56 stolen bases. The Diamondbacks are one of the top NL pitching staffs on the road, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of four runs allowed per away game.
The Angels will take on a right-hander (Ray) in this game and have a 24-25 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Diamondbacks will be the right-hander Weaver. They sport a 22-24 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – ARI, O/U – Over
Notes
Los Angeles recorded at least two errors for the seventh time this season.
The Diamondbacks are 4-4 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Angels are 1-3 in such matchups.
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Diamondbacks need to step it up. The Angels have a record of 23-13 when opponents get eight hits or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Diamondbacks are 19-7. The Angels have a 23-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 20th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 248 this season. Arizona ranks in the top five at fourth with 283.
Ranking 21st, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 164 this season. Arizona ranks in the top half at 15th with 191.
The Angels are 23-17 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Diamondbacks are 21-13 when they hit at least one homer.
