Angels’ Weaver eyes turnaround vs. BoSox
David Price and Jered Weaver used to be at the top of baseball’s pitching heap. As the two square off tonight, though, they’re just hoping to find some semblance of traction.
The Angels host the Red Sox at 10:05 p.m. ET in a series opener that demands below-the-surface investigation. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv have installed John Farrell’s visiting gang as a 1.5-run favorite. Los Angeles, conversely, symbolizes a +157 underdog. The over/under run total currently sits at 8.5.
Boston looked rather listless in losing three straight to the Tigers, and that same term could apply to Price’s entire body of work this season. The playoff concerns were well-documented before he even arrived in Beantown, but the lefty had always turned in stellar results during the regular campaign. With a shade over two months to go, however, Price totes a 9-7 mark with a 4.51 ERA. Last-place Minnesota shelled him for five runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings almost a week ago.
On the other side, Weaver managed to concoct a little magic in April, going 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA. Nonetheless, the road has been quite rocky since then. Six of the righty’s 19 appearances qualify as virtual disasters, or outings in which he’s surrendered at least five earned runs. Weaver is 4-6 with a 4.16 ERA in 16 career encounters with the Red Sox.
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In a lesser-of-two-evils situations, we lean toward Price. He’s the one backed by the majors’ top offense, which should take major advantage of the humid air in Anaheim. Look for Weaver to permit several dingers, with David Ortiz (84 RBIs in 336 at-bats) and Xander Bogaerts (.331/.388/.478) spearheading the charge.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: RED SOX -1.5