Jered Weaver (8-10, 5.32 ERA) and Masahiro Tanaka (9-4, 3.40 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Angels (51-70) and the New York Yankees (61-59) at Angel Stadium. Action begins at 10:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 19 and can be seen on FS1.
Weaver pitched 5.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering five runs and walking two in a 5-4 defeat to the Indians. Tanaka went 7.0 innings, surrendering four runs and striking out eight in an 8-4 win over the Rays in his last outing.
New York takes on Los Angeles as a -135 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Angels have recorded an overall money line of -2,064 and have shown a weak performance as an underdog this season with a record of 25-47. Los Angeles has gone winless (0-8) as the underdog and 1-9 SU in its last 10 outings. The Angels have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.7 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.5 runs per game. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 6.1 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.8.
As for their opponent, in contrast to a worrisome overall money line (-269), New York has an impressive 40-26 record when playing as the favorite. New York is excellent at making contact with just 7.2 strikeouts per game, ranking fourth in the AL. When it comes to issuing walks, the Yankees have the fewest in the AL with only 2.6 walks allowed per game.
The Yankees have the edge in the season series, 4-0. The Angels have a 34-53 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Tanaka takes the mound. Weaver (RHP) will be on the hill against the Yankees, who have a 44-39 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY, O/U – Over
Notes
LA Angels are 2-12 SU in their last 14 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels’s last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels’s last 7 games at home.
LA Angels are 12-5 SU in their last 17 games at home.
LA Angels are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Yankees.
Los Angeles has won 40% (21-32) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, New York has won 54% (34-29) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Yankees are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Angels have a 13-34 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Angels are 41-11. The Yankees have a 46-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 22nd in runs, New York has earned 498 this season. Los Angeles ranks 14th with 547 runs.
Ranking 24th, New York is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 340 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 357.
When the Angels hit at least one home run, they are 37-38. When the Yankees hit at least one homer, they have a 44-32 record.
