The Angels are in a money-spot despite dropping the first three games of their series against the White Sox.
Los Angeles Angels at Chicago White Sox
Los Angeles is suffering from a three-game losing streak and the team is finding it hard to score runs in July. The Angels are currently 2-5 this month (-430) and have scored two or fewer runs in six of seven games (2-5 O/U). Manager Mike Scioscia hasn’t been pleased with the team’s approach at the plate saying, “We had some opportunities that could have changed some things that went on. We had trouble with runners in scoring position.” Los Angeles is now trailing the season series 3-2 and has love five of its last nine at U.S. Cellular Field. Since 2005, 37 of 52 games between the teams have been decided by three runs or less, including two of three in the current series.
Angels starting pitcher Ervin Santana is 8-6 with a 3.95 ERA in 17 starts this season (+160). He is 4-3 with a 3.04 ERA in eight road starts, managing to strike out 42 batters and walking 17 batters in 53.1 innings of work. The right-hander has made eight daytime appearances, recording a 4-3 record and 3.93 ERA. Santana is 4-2 with a 4.30 ERA in 10 lifetime outings against the White Sox (-40), including a 3-1 mark and 3.58 ERA in five appearances at U.S. Cellular Field. He has a losing 11-12 record and 5.79 ERA in 26 career starts in July.
Chicago is in position to record a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels this afternoon following a 5-2 home win last night. It would be the first four-game sweep of the Angels in Chicago since 1983. The White Sox have won 21 of 26 games and the starting rotation is 16-5 with a 2.51 ERA over that span. “Things are going out way, but we are also playing good baseball,” said Brent Lillibridge the team’s designated hitter on Wednesday night. During its current 26-game span, the club has outscored opponents by a 58-run margin. The White Sox are 5-1 during the month (+530) and 32-26 in July over the last three years (+620).
White Sox starting pitcher John Danks is an even 7-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 16 starts (-190), dropping his last two starts against the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers. In those outings, he has allowed eight runs and 11 hits over 11 innings of work, issuing six walks and striking out nine. The left-hander is 4-4 with a 3.10 ERA in nine home outings (-320), allowing just 51 hits and an opponents’ batting average of .226. Danks is set to make his eighth career start versus the Angels, posting a 1-3 mark and 3.16 ERA (-360).
Bettors need to jump on the opportunity of playing the Angels in this daytime situation, coming in with a 18-10 mark this season (+880) and 86-36 the last three years (+5,120). The selection gains strength in the club being 13-3 in Santana’s last 16 starts as an underdog.
