Angels Win Total Prediction
Can the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bounce back from a disappointing 2016 season this year? Here’s our breakdown of the win total for L.A.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Angels over/under for wins in 2017 has been set at 79.5. The over and under both carry odds of -115. Their odds to win the 2017 World Series are listed at 60/1 currently, while their odds to win the ALCS are at 30/1.
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The Angels are coming off a 74-88 season in 2016. It was their fewest wins since 1999 and the worst season for Mike Scioscia in his 17 seasons as skipper. Scioscia has a 1490-1264 record in his time with the Angels and a 21-27 postseason record.
L.A. had a respectable offense that put up 717 runs a year ago. Albert Pujols actually got back to showing some of his old power after racking up 31 HR and 119 RBI in 2016, both of which were team-highs. Mike Trout had another solid year, racking up 29 HR with 100 RBI while hitting .315 with an OBP of .441. He also had 30 stolen bases. No other L.A. hitters have 80 RBI last season. Yunel Escobar did hit .304 with 28 doubles, but the team had a batting average of just .260. In the offseason, the Angels acquired Cameron Maybin from the Tigers. Maybin hit .315 last season for Detroit with 14 doubles and 43 RBI in 94 games.
The Angels didn’t get the kind of pitching they have had in the past in 2016. The team ERA was 4.28 and they gave up a total of 727 runs. Jered Weaver really took a step back, going just 12-12 in 31 starts with a 5.06 ERA and only 103 strikeouts. He has moved on to the Padres, leaving the Angels without much name recognition in the rotation. Garrett Richards is hoping to get back to his old form after missing most of 2016 with a UCL tear. Tyler Skaggs made just 10 starts after coming back from Tommy John surgery and had a 4.17 ERA over 49 innings of work. Matt Shoemaker has the most experience from 2016 after logging 160 innings. He had a 3.88 ERA with 143 strikeouts and a 9-13 record.
We aren’t used to seeing the Angels struggle so much, so I don’t think things will be quite that bad this year. The pitching staff is a concern, especially since the Angels didn’t have a closer established last season either. The lineup should still be tough to deal with. When you have Mike Trout, you have a chance to win games. Scioscia is a good manager as well and should be able to navigate these tough waters to get his team to 80 wins. Some of the arms that didn’t pitch much last season should have some life in them this year.
2017 MLB SEASON WIN TOTAL PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM OVER 79.5