Los Angeles Angels (7-5) AT Chicago White Sox (7-5_
April 15, 2011 at 8:10 PM EST
Opening Runline:  LAA -1.5 +130, CWS +1.5 -150
Current Runline:  LAA -1.5 +120, CWS +1.5 -140
Opening Moneyline:  LAA -135, CWS +115
Current Moneyline:  LAA -129, CWS +119
Opening Total:  8
Current Total:  8

SP:  LAA- Jared Weaver, CWS- Phillip Humber

Jared Weaver has been very good.  He’s 3-0 with an ERA under 1 (0.87).  He’s one of the hottest pitchers in baseball right now and the White Sox are already struggling.  It’s the main reason the Angels are favorites in tonight’s game, in fact.

The White Sox’s relievers have been costing the team badly.  They have faltered in late innings, three times last week, and they blew a three run leading going into the ninth, as Chris Sale gave up 3 runs and closer Matt Thornton gave up 3 more.  Thornton has blown 4 of his 5 saves.

“There’s nothing to even describe it right now. Frustration is pretty high,” Thornton said. “Confidence isn’t the problem. It’s my frustration right now. It’s the most frustrated I’ve been in a long time. I can’t remember a run of games like this where I haven’t gotten the job done that many times in a row.”

Ozzie Guillen has admitted he has no idea what to do with the problem the pen is having.  He knows he lacks a closer…”I don’t have any closer.  I don’t,” Guillen said.  “You are just scratching your head and second-guess yourself what you are doing wrong, bringing people to the mound with three-run lead and we can’t hold the lead. That’s not a good sign.”

Given the way Weaver is pitching, it may not even come down to the final innings before the game has been decided.  Weaver’s chances of pitching a shutout are good, or even if he allows 1 run, the Angels should manage to score at least 3 to propel the team to victory.

The White Sox will send Phillip Humber to the mound.  Humber had a nice first start subbing in for injured Jake Peavy, as he allowed only 1 run in 6 innings as the White Sox beat the Rays 4-2.

“It’s just about relaxing, allowing yourself to get out of the way,” Humber said. “A lot of the times I’ve put too much pressure on myself. Now I feel a lot more relaxed and let my ability work.”

Some betting trends:

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the Angels’ last 7 games and the Angels are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.  The Angels are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games against the White Sox and the total ahs gone UNDER in 5 of the Angels’ last 6 games against the White Sox.  The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the Angels’ last 6 games on the road against the White Sox and the Angeles are 1-4 SU in their last 5 road games against the White Sox.

Chicago is 16-7 SU over their last 23 games and the total has gone OVER in 15 of their last 22 games at home.  The White Sox are 9-4 SU in their last 13 home games and the total has gone UNDER In 5 of the White Sox’s last 6 games against the Angels.  The White Sox are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games against the Angels and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of the White Sox’ last 6 games against the Angels.  The White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 at home against the Angels.

Jared Weaver is really all you need to know at this point.  He’s going to come out, dominate, and lead the Angels to a win.