Rangers vs Angels Odds - Why the Rangers will take back first place
Just when the Rangers vs Angels odds were shifting heavily in L.A.’s favor, Texas fought back hard. Thanks to five straight wins through Sunday, the Rangers sit tied with the Angels for the AL West crown. Something has to give. Will Josh Hamilton’s return give Texas the push it needs to be a real MLB betting contender?
Rangers vs Angels odds: Ranger hitters have good history against Angels starters
- Josh Hamilton’s return from injury should give Texas a major boost
- Tuesday’s matchup could get ugly for Dustin Nippert
- Texas dominates Ervin Santana historically
Tonight, 10:05 p.m. ET
Kevin Millwood (8-5, 2.80) vs Jered Weaver (8-3, 3.10)
The Rangers vs Angels odds open with a battle of All-Star snubs, as stingy Kevin Millwood and Jered Weaver go head to head. Millwood hasn’t dominated the Angels in his career, but he survives against them. Meanwhile, the Rangers bombed Weaver for seven runs the last time they faced him. Hank Blalock in particular should salivate over this matchup, as he has a .417 career average against Weaver. Look for the Rangers to feel energized with their No. 1 starter on the hill and the return of Josh Hamilton from the DL, so they’ll take Game 1.
MLB betting pick: Rangers
Tuesday, July 7, 10:05 p.m. ET
Dustin Nippert (NR) vs John Lackey (3-3, 4.70)
The Rangers vs Angels odds could be a massacre Tuesday if Dustin Nippert’s stats tell us anything. His career ERA: 6.42. His specialty seems to be allowing runs, and he’s making his first appearance of the season after a 60-Day DL stint, so I don’t see how anyone would take a plunge on Texas’ sports betting odds.
John Lackey, working himself back into ace shape, doesn’t pitch too well against the Rangers over his career (10-10, 5.79), but it doesn’t matter. With respect to Nippert – I’d trust a good AAA starter over him right now.
MLB betting pick: Angels
Wednesday, July 8, 10:05 p.m. ET
Tommy Hunter (1-1, 3.18) vs Ervin Santana (1-4, 7.43)
Is rookie Tommy Hunter for real? He seemed lucky after he survived against the lowly Padres and A’s in his first two starts, but he raised eyebrows when he held the mighty Rays to one run last week for his first career win. He’s tough on righties so far (0.89 WHIP against them) and most of the Angels’ best hitters are right-handed (Vladimir Guerrero, Torii Hunter and Juan Rivera, to name a few), so maybe he has a betting chance in the Rangers vs Rays odds.
The numbers scream “Rangers upset” especially if you look at Ervin Santana’s track record. He has a 5.58 career ERA in July and a 6.46 career ERA against the Rangers with a whopping 18 homers allowed in just 85 innings. Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Hank Blalock own Santana, all hitting .364 or better off him. Still battling back from injury, he’s not the pitcher he was last season, at least not for now. Avoid him.
MLB betting pick: Rangers
For more Rangers vs Angels odds and offshore sportsbook lines, visit the Betting Edge at betonline.com.
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.
