Ricky Nolasco (4-9, 5.14 ERA) and Felix Hernandez (6-4, 3.39 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a four-game series between the Los Angeles Angels (49-68) and the Seattle Mariners (62-54) at Angel Stadium. The Angels come into this series hoping to snap a 10-game losing streak. Action begins at 10:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 15 and can be seen on FSW and RTNW.
Nolasco pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out six and walking one in a 3-1 defeat to the Cubs. Hernandez went 7.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out eight and walking four in a 3-1 win over the Tigers in his most recent start. Nelson Cruz (.284, 65 Rs, 29 HRs, 73 RBIs) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
Seattle 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 -1,836 and have shown a weak performance as an underdog this season with a record of 25-45. Los Angeles has gone winless (0-7) as the underdog and 1-9 SU in its last 10 outings. Los Angeles strikes out the least of any team in the AL, with only 5.9 per game. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 7.1 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.8.
In games where it is the favorite, Seattle has a 34-29 record and an overall money line of +157. They have managed to pull off a perfect record over their last ten games playing as the favorite, and have an 8-2 SU record over the same span. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is third in the AL. The Mariners allow 4.3 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 3.0 runs per game during that span.
The Mariners lead the season series, 5-4. The Angels have a 34-50 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Hernandez takes the mound. Nolasco (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mariners, who have a 44-29 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, O/U – Over
Notes
Los Angeles has won 38% (20-32) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Seattle has won 52% (27-25) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Mariners are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Angels have a 4-24 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they are outhit, the Angels are 6-53. The Mariners have a 13-38 record when opponents outhit them.
Los Angeles ranks near the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 112 this season. Seattle ranks in the top five at third with 163.
Los Angeles and Seattle both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Los Angeles sits at eighth with 8.91 hits per game and Seattle ranks ninth with 8.80.
Ranking 18th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.733). Seattle ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .760.
When the Mariners allow at least one home run, they are 41-44. When the Angels allow one or more homers, they have a 27-55 record.
