Ricky Nolasco (4-12, 5.24 ERA) and Brandon Finnegan (8-9, 4.27 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Angels (58-74) and the Cincinnati Reds (55-76) at Angel Stadium. The Angels won the last game 4-2, and Los Angeles leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and can be seen on FSOH and FSW.
Nolasco pitched 6.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs, striking out two and walking three in a 4-2 defeat to the Tigers. Mike Trout (.319, 102 Rs, 25 HRs, 84 RBIs, 21 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 4 with two runs. Finnegan went 6.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out 12 and walking two in a 4-3 defeat to the Diamondbacks in his most recent start. Joey Votto (.310, 83 Rs, 22 HRs, 78 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Reds, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Los Angeles is a -133 favorite against Cincinnati and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at nine runs. The Angels have an overall money line of -1,437 and a record as the favorite of 27-24. Against the NL, they have a solid 4-3 record as the favorite but a 7-11 SU. Los Angeles strikes out the least of any team in the AL, with only 6.0 per game. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 3.2 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.7.
Over in the other dugout, Cincinnati is coming in with an overall money line of -589 and a disappointing record of 36-69 as the underdog. Cincinnati has put in a lackluster performance against interleague opponents, coming in with a subpar record SU ({betdsi.at.al.su_record}) and as the underdog (3-13). Offensively, the Reds have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.5 runs per game by averaging 5.7 during that stretch. The Reds are an excellent base stealing team with 114 stolen bases, ranking second in the MLB.
The Angels have the edge in the season series, 2-0. The Angels have a 17-17 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Finnegan takes the mound. Nolasco (RHP) will be on the hill against the Reds, who have a 45-56 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA, O/U – Over
Notes
The Angels are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Reds have a 12-31 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
It looks like the Angels have a slight leg up on the Reds, as the Angels have won their last four games while the Reds have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 41-13. The Angels have a 46-11 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 17th in runs, Cincinnati has earned 587 this season. Los Angeles ranks 15th with 589 runs.
Ranking 22nd, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 372 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 381.
The Angels are 42-41 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Reds are 41-42 when they hit at least one homer.
