Rays vs. Angels Thursday Prediction
In one of the better pitching matchups on Thursday’s slate, the Los Angeles Angels host the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at 10:07 p.m. ET. Will the game live up to the hype of a pitcher’s duel or is the better bet still the over?
Game Snapshot & Odds
965 Tampa Bay Rays (+140) at 966 Los Angeles Angels (-155); 7.5 runs
Thursday, May 17, 2018
10:07 p.m. ET, Angel Stadium of Anaheim
TV: TB (FS SUN); LAA (FSW)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Angels as a -155 favorite. As of this writing, 65% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Angels to beat the Rays on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Rays’ Archer torched by Orioles in loss
Chris Archer got taken out behind the woodshed by the Orioles on Saturday, giving up six runs in seven innings. He gave up runs nearly every way possible. He served up three home runs, allowed a runner to steal home, and let in another run on a wild pitch. Manny Machado took him deep once and Jonathan Schoop did it twice. Archer falls to 2-3 with a 5.64 ERA and 1.41 WHIP after nine starts.
Angels’ Skaggs pitches six strong innings vs. Twins
Tyler Skaggs pitched six innings of two-run ball against the Twins on Friday.
Skaggs gave up a pair of homers tonight, but both were solo shots and there was no further damage from the other four hits and two walks surrendered. Skaggs has been remarkably solid, allowing more than two earned runs just once in eight starts. Now we’ll just have to wait and see if he can stay healthy.
MLB Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Rays are 4-1 in their last five games versus the Angels, are 4-1 in Archer’s last five starts versus the Halos and are 23-9 in their last 32 road games versus Los Angeles.
Los Angeles
The Angels are just 1-4 in Skaggs’ last five starts, are 1-4 in his last five outings versus the American League East and are 2-6 in his last eight starts coming off five days of rest.
Prediction:
Even though Archer got tagged in his last start this is a great spot for the under, which is 12-2-2 in the last 16 meetings between these two teams. The under is also 5-0-1 in the last six meetings between these two teams in Los Angeles and is 3-0-1 in Archer’s last four road outings versus the Angels.
The Pick: Rays/Angels under 7.5