Pinnacle Odds: Texas Rangers +105 at Los Angeles Angels -114 Total 8
by Greg Dempson
The Rangers send lefty Cole Hamels to the mound tonight to face leftie Tyler Skaggs with the first pitch scheduled at 10:07 ET at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Hamels allowed 3 earned runs in his season debut at home vs. the Indians and receive a no decision through 6 innings on 5 hits, one of which was a homer while walking one batter and striking out 4.
The Angels counter with Tyler Skaggs who was lit up in his season debut vs. the Athletics in Oakland allowing 5 earned runs on 5 hits, (one homer,) while walking 3 and striking out 5 in 5.3 innings. Skaggs tossed 6 shutout innings against Texas on September 9 last season and his record is 2-1 with an ERA of 5.49 ERA, WHIP 1.576 in four career starts vs. the Rangers. The Angles are also 2-8 in Skaggs’ last 10 starts.
“It’s Hamels Time”
· Since coming over to the Rangers, Hamels has fared well vs. American League opponents as well as Inter-League teams with a record of 22-06 in 43 starts and when he’s matched up vs. division opponents Hamels is on a run of 21-07. In five career games vs. the Angels he has an ERA of 3.27, WHIP of 1.121 including 1-0 with an ERA of 2.25 in two outings at Angel Stadium last year pitching a combined 12 innings while allowing 3 earned runs with 7 walks while striking out 10 as he/team won, (8-5 and 4-1.)
· Hamels led the American League in road victories last season with 10 wins.
· Hamels is 28-9 when off a team win the past two seasons.
· Hamels is also 19-06 in night games the past two seasons.
· Hamels/Rangers are 18-06 in his last 24 starts when the team scored 5 or more runs in his previous start.
· The Rangers are also a solid 10-03 when Hamels is pitching on five days rest.
From the Dugout
· The Rangers are 30-16 and +18.30-units against the money line after allowing 2 runs or less the last two seasons.
· The Angels are 0-4 at home in Skaggs’ last four starts.
· Texas is 37-18 and +25.80-units against the money line vs. an excellent bullpen whose ERA is 3.00 or better.
· The Angels are on a 1-5 run when playing after a day off.
Super System
· In the first 12 games of a season, play against any team when off a one run win vs. a division rival as long as they were a non-playoff team from last season but won 7+ of their last 10 games. This system is 29-15 = 66% when playing against the Angels.
Everyedge.com in Review
· I am 0-2 with my MLB selections and -2.15-units here at Every Edge.