The Los Angeles Angels (34-38) will host the Seattle Mariners (32-39) on Friday in the opening matchup of a three-game series. The Angels took four out of five games from the Mariners in Seattle when these teams recently met June 16-19.
France exits early in Mariners win
Seattle is fourth in the AL West and comes into this series on a three-game winning streak after sweeping the A's in Oakland. The Mariners won 2-1 on Thursday, but the victory came with a scare as Ty France was forced to leave with an elbow injury in the fifth inning. France has hit 10 home runs this season and leads the club with a .316 batting average, 87 hits, and 45 RBI.
the current vibe 🤩 pic.twitter.com/lWe0SFuksO
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 23, 2022
The Mariners are scheduled to start Chris Flexen (2-8, 4.23 ERA) for the 14th time this season. Flexen has struggled with a 2-8 record and 4.23 ERA in 13 starts. In 2021 Flexen saw more success finishing 14-6 with a 3.61 ERA in 31 starts. He has five career starts against the Angels and is 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA in those games.
The Mariners are 26th averaging four runs per game and 15th with 75 home runs. The pitching staff is 10th with a 3.78 ERA. The Seattle bullpen is 16th with a 4.04 ERA, and defensively sixth with +30 runs saved.
Angels look to get back on track
It's been an interesting season for the Angels. After starting the season 27-17, the Angels dropped 14 games in a row, and since have gone 7-7.
The Angels are 19th averaging 4.3 runs per game, and they are seventh with 88 home runs. Mike Trout leads the team with a .284 batting average, 21 hom eruns and is second with 43 RBI. Shohei Ohtani leads the Angels with 45 RBI and has hit 15 home runs.
The Greatest Shoman. pic.twitter.com/Vn6y27XEm1
— MLB (@MLB) June 23, 2022
The pitching staff is 12th with a 3.85 ERA overall. The Los Angeles bullpen is 17th with a 4.08 ERA, and in the field, they are 13th with +13 defensive runs saved. Michael Lorenzen (6-4, 4.15 ERA) will make his 12th start of the season on Friday. Lorenzen was tagged for seven runs in five innings when he faced the Mariners last Friday in Seattle. He has been much better when pitching at home where he is 4-1 with a 2.52 ERA.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Chris Flexen has a 3.10 ERA in his last five starts and has been very good against Los Angeles in the past. The Mariners have good momentum right now having won their last four road games. They have also won five of their last seven road games against the Angels.
This one is a close call, but the line isn't. Michael Lorenzen is coming off his worst start of the season which came against the Mariners, and even though he has been sharp overall at home this season, the Angels are overvalued here as a +160 favorite. The Angels have dropped 12 of their last 15 home games, and I can't justify laying a big number on them here. I like the value on the road dog here.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The Angels have allowed at least five runs in the last four games started by Lorenzen, and the Mariners have allowed at least four runs in the last five road games started by Chris Flexen. The bullpens on both sides are just average, and the over has cashed in the seven times out of the last eight times these two teams have met in LA. With 7.4 mph wind in the forecast blowing straight out to centerfield, take the over.