Texas (3-2) at LA Angels (1-5)
When: Thursday, April 4th, 2019
Where: Angel Stadium,
Anaheim, CA
Time: 10:07 ET | TV: MLB Network
Opening Odds: Los Angeles -162/8.5
The Los Angeles Angels are hoping that returning home after starting the season 1-5 on the road, will spark their offense when they host the Texas Rangers in the opener of a four-game weekend set. L.A. has scored a total of seven runs in their five losses, while earning a 6-2 win in their second game against Oakland, and are ranked 28th in runs scored (2.17), 27th in batting average (.178), and have just one home run in six games. Part of the problem is that star hitters Shohei Ohtani (elbow) and Justin Upton (turf toe) are on the injured list, but Justin Bour (1-for-18) and Zack Cozart (1-for-19) have done nothing to help out. Superstar Mike Trout has really good numbers in his career versus Texas, hitting .322 with 25 home runs and 86 RBI in 132 games. Texas has won both its series thus far and took the last two from the Houston Astros as Mike Minor pitched seven strong innings in earning the win on Wednesday. Nomar Mazara blasted his second homer of the season, while Joey Gallo walked three times for a Rangers team that has homered in each game this year. The Angels took seven of nine from Texas at Angel Stadium last season, and won the season series 13-6.
Pitchers: Rangers – Edinson Volquez (0-0, 9.00 ERA) | Angels – Matt Harvey (0-0, 3.00)
Edinson Volquez will get the start against a team he began his career with 14 years ago, and he has not fared well against them. Volquez has a career 1-4 mark and 10.71 ERA in six games (four starts) versus the Angels, and was not sharp in his first outing of 2018. After missing all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Volquez made his first start since the middle of the 2017 campaign and allowed four runs, six hits and four walks in four innings against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.
Matt Harvey is trying to resurrect his career and got off to a nice start on Friday by holding the A’s hitless into the fifth inning, but settled for a no-decision after allowing just two runs in six innings. Harvey split time in 2018 between the NY Mets and Cincinnati and finished 7-9 with a 4.94 ERA in 32 games (28 starts). Harvey makes his home debut and first every start at Angel Stadium, and his first against Texas.
Look for the Angels offense to wake up at home against a pitcher (Volquez) who has been terrible against them in the past. On the other side, Texas has been hitting well and I’m not a big fan of Harvey anymore. He’s nowhere near the pitcher he was hyped to be. Look for the scoreboard to light up tonight.
Bobby Babowski continues his torrid start to 2019 with a sizzling 15-4 mark! Head on over to see what he has for Thursday on his MLB Picks page.
Pick: OVER 8.5 +105
BETTING TRENDS:
Rangers are 6-13 in their last 19 overall.
Rangers are 6-13 in their last 19 games on grass.
Rangers are 7-20 in their last 27 road games.
Rangers are 4-13 in their last 17 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. American League West.
Rangers are 0-5 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Rangers are 2-5 in Volquezs last 7 starts vs. American League West.
Rangers are 1-4 in Volquezs last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Rangers are 1-4 in Volquezs last 5 starts.
Rangers are 1-5 in Volquezs last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.
Rangers are 1-7 in Volquezs last 8 road starts.
Rangers are 1-7 in Volquezs last 8 starts during game 1 of a series.
Angels are 6-1 in their last 7 home games.
Angels are 4-1 in their last 5 games following an off day.
Angels are 20-45 in their last 65 vs. a team with a winning record.
Angels are 4-10 in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Angels are 1-5 in their last 6 Thursday games.
Angels are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. American League West.
Angels are 0-4 in their last 4 overall.
Angels are 0-4 in their last 4 games on grass.
Over is 6-1 in Rangers last 7 Thursday games.
Under is 5-1 in Rangers last 6 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 on grass.
Under is 6-2 in Rangers last 8 vs. American League West.
Over is 2-0-2 in Volquezs last 4 starts overall.
Over is 3-1-1 in Volquezs last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
Over is 3-1-1 in Volquezs last 5 starts vs. American League West.
Over is 5-2-1 in Volquezs last 8 starts on grass.
Under is 6-0 in Angels last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Under is 5-0 in Angels last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 9-1-1 in Angels last 11 on grass.
Under is 9-1-1 in Angels last 11 vs. American League West.
Under is 3-1-1 in Angels last 5 home games.
Over is 5-2 in Angels last 7 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 11-5 in Angels last 16 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 10-1 in the last 11 meetings in Los Angeles.
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Rangers are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.
Rangers are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings.
