Angels vs Giants Odds - Giants' pitching will cool off hot-hitting Angels
The Giants and the Angels have been two of the biggest baseball betting surprises so far in 2009, but for different reasons. The Giants have been carried by one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball, while the Angels have battled injuries on the mound and at the plate. The two kick off a three-game set at AT&T Park on Monday night, and the MLB lines at your offshore sportsbook are split down the middle at -115.
Angels vs Giants Odds: Giants’ home record of 21-9 trails only Dodgers and Red Sox
- Look for Zito to make good on his ERA on Monday
- Giant bettors ought to be concerned about Sanchez
- Lincecum will continue dominating the mound
Monday, June 15, 10:15 PM ET
John Lackey (1-2, 6.61) vs Barry Zito (3-6, 4.09)
Lackey was hammered in a 9-5 loss at Tampa Bay, giving up nine runs (eight earned) on 11 hits over five innings as he continues his comeback from an elbow injury that sidelined him for the beginning of the year. He lost his lone meeting with the Giants back in 2006, allowing three runs on five hits over seven innings of a 3-2 loss in San Francisco. After losing four straight starts, Zito has bounced back to win two in a row, although he’s still struggling with control issues (Zito is 14th in the National League in walks). Zito has a respectable 12-9 mark in 28 starts against the Angels as he used to see them regular as the ace of Oakland’s staff, and he posted a 3.55 ERA. Zito is due for a win at home: he’s 0-2 in five starts at AT&T Park despite a 2.70 ERA.
Baseball betting pick: Giants
Tuesday, June 16, 10:15 PM ET
Ervin Santana (1-2, 7.47) vs Jonathan Sanchez (2-6, 4.84)
Both are 26-year-old righthanders with loads of talent, and Santana is even coming off his second 16-win season, but to say these two are struggling is an understatement. Santana has given up at least six runs in three of his last four outings, including six in an 11-1 rout in Tampa Bay. Santana is another Angel that had elbow trouble before the season, so this could be a matter of working himself back into shape...or he’s still hurt. Sanchez is coming off his best outing of the season, and he still lost 2-1 at Arizona, giving up a single run on three hits over 5.2 innings. However, Sanchez walked seven batters to raise his league-leading total to 43, and after finishing 11th in the league in walks in 2008, this has to concern sportsbook players who are backing the Giants. Santana has actually been far better away from home this year, which is why the betting edge has to go to the Giants on Tuesday.
Baseball betting pick: Angels
Wednesday, June 17, 3:45 PM ET
Matt Palmer (6-0, 4.11) vs Tim Lincecum (6-1, 2.66)
Palmer would love nothing more than to stick it to the team that drafted him back in 2002, then left him in the minors for many years before earning a call-up. The 30-year-old right-hander has had some great run support, as the Angels have averaged 9.5 runs over his six wins. However, if you’re an online sports wagering player, you know the Angels will be hard-pressed to score nine runs against Lincecum, especially since the reigning National League Cy Young winner is coming off a complete-game seven-hit shutout of Oakland. At home, Lincecum has been phenomenal with a 3-0 record in six starts and a 2.41 ERA. Palmer has given up four runs or more in five of his eight starts this season, and you’re not going to survive like that against Lincecum, who will be facing the Angels for the first time in his career.
Baseball betting pick: Giants
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Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
