Red Sox vs. Angels Thursday Prediction
The Boston Red Sox remain the hottest team in Major League Baseball and thus far, their trip to L.A. has been successful. Can the Red Sox take care of business again on Thursday night when they visit the Angels at 10:07 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
965 Boston Red Sox (-116) at 966 Los Angeles Angels (-105); 8.5 runs
Thursday, April 19, 2018
10:07 p.m. ET, Angel Stadium of Anaheim
TV: NESN (BOS); FSW (LAA)
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Red Sox as a -116 favorite. As of this writing, 63% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Red Sox to beat the Angels on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Red Sox’ Rodriguez coming off solid start vs. Orioles
Eduardo Rodriguez notched his first win of the season after holding the Orioles to one run over six innings on Friday.
Rodriguez was shaky in his season debut against the Rays last Sunday, but he was in control for this one. The southpaw held the Orioles to five hits and two walks, with the lone run scoring on a sacrifice fly from Adam Jones in the first inning.
Rodriguez fanned eight batters and induced 14 swinging strikes in his 104 pitches. He’s actually the first Boston starter to exceed 99 pitches this season.
Angels Tropeano in excellent form vs. Royals
Nick Tropeano debuted in fine fashion Thursday, tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a win over the Royals.
Tropeano pitched decently in camp but didn’t make the Opening Day roster, getting called up Thursday ahead of the start against the Royals. He made his case to stick around, scattering six hits and two walks while striking out six in the win.
The Angels have some decisions to make regarding their rotation plans, but if Tropeano did enough to earn at least one more start, that should come Wednesday against a considerably tougher Red Sox lineup.
MLB Betting Trends
Boston
The Red Sox are 5-2 in Rodriguez’s last seven starts but are just 1-6 in his last seven road outings.
Los Angeles
The Angels are 7-1 in Tropeano’s last eight starts versus a team with a winning record.
Prediction:
The Red Sox are too hot and too cheap to bypass them on the money line Thursday night in L.A. They have already demonstrated in this series that they’re a legit contender while the Angels still have a ways to go before they’re competing with the top of the American League. Rodriguez has strikeout potential and nasty stuff.
The Pick: Boston Red Sox -116