The Los Angeles Angels (14-7) continue their 4-game set with the Chicago White Sox (7-12) Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Angels vs. White Sox odds with MLB picks and predictions.
L.A. won the series opener 5-1 Friday thanks to a bullpen day where the Angels relievers outdueled Chicago’s and White Sox SP Lucas Giolito. L.A. RF Taylor Ward stayed hot Friday, hitting 3-for-5 with 1 HR, 1 double and 2 RBIs.
The Angels are on a 6-game winning streak whereas the White Sox has lost nine of 10 games and back-to-back.
Angels at White Sox projected starters
LHP Jose Suarez vs. RHP Vince Velasquez
Suarez (0-1, 5.54 ERA) earned a no-decision in L.A.’s 7-6 win versus the Baltimore Orioles Sunday. He hurled 4 1/3 IP, allowing 3 ER on 4 H, 2 BB and 1 HR with 6 K. This is Suarez’s first start against the White Sox in his four major league seasons.
Velasquez (0-2, 6.75 ERA) got roughed up in Chicago’s 9-2 loss at the Minnesota Twins April 23. He went 3 1/3 IP, surrendering 5 ER on 8 H, 1 BB and 2 HR with 6 K. Most of Velasquez’s career has been in the NL, and this is his first start versus L.A. in eight major league seasons.
Angels at White Sox odds and lines
- Money line (ML): Angels +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | White Sox -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Angels -1.5 (+160) | White Sox +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
Angels at White Sox picks and predictions
Prediction
Angels 5, White Sox 4
Money line
LEAN ANGELS (+100) only because they are hotter team and Velasquez is a starter I like to fade, and the White Sox having him in the rotation is certainly one of their weak spots.
However, Suarez has poor pitching peripherals as well, and neither bullpen is very reliable. So the Over is my favorite bet in the Angels-White Sox meeting Saturday.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS because I don’t like the Angels -1.5 (+155) enough to sprinkle on their RL. Also, I wouldn’t bet L.A.’s ML and Chicago’s RL in the same game.
Over/Under
BET the OVER 8.5 (-130) because each starter grades in the bottom 15th percentile or worse in exit velocity, hard-hit rate, expected ERA, expected wOBA and expected slugging percentage, according to Statcast. Plus these starters have a combined 2-4 O/U record on the season.
Furthermore, the White Sox lineup has hit lefties well this season: Chicago ranks ninth in wOBA, sixth in wRC+ and fifth in hard-hit rate against left-handed pitching, per FanGraphs. While L.A.’s lineup is first in both wRC+ and wOBA and fifth in WAR versus all pitching.
BET 1 unit on the OVER 8.5 (-130).