Cleveland Indians at LA Angels
Where: Angel Stadium
When: April 4, 2018 4PM EST
Moneyline: CLE -141 / LAA +136
Over/Under: 7
By expert handicapper Rich Crew
The Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Angels will go at it again in the rubber match of a three-game set at Angel Stadium. The MLB betting board has the visiting Indians as a -140 to -155 money line favorite for this match with the total line offered at seven runs.
In their most recent match, the Indians broke out to a 2-0 lead but were shut down the rest of the game in a 13-2 blowout win by the Angels. The win by Los Angeles was their fourth of the season to go with two losses and helped them move their flat money line betting number on the season to +1.87 units. With the loss, the Indians moved to a sub .500 2-3 on the campaign and are now on flat money line betting at -2.01 units.
Starting Pitchers
The visiting Indians will look to get back on the winning track this afternoon when they send out their ace and the 2017 Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. The right-hander lost his first start of the season in a road start in Seattle, but he pitched well allowing just two runs over eight innings. Kluber will be making his first start against the Angels since 2016 when he faced them twice that season recording quality starts in both matches.
The host Angels send out lefty Tyler Skaggs to the mound to make his second start this season. Skaggs was sharp in his first outing of the season going 6.1 shutout innings striking out five and allowing three hits to pick up the win. He’ll be facing the Indians for the fourth time in his career, and he’s had mixed results. Skaggs got blown up in Cleveland for ten hits and seven runs in Cleveland, but he has performed well enough to win in his two home starts versus them going a combined 12.1 innings allowing five earned runs on 12 hits.
Batter vs. Pitcher
Corey Kluber – Justin Upton is the only projected starter who has hit over .300 for the Angels versus Kluber with a .312 mark in 16 at-bats. Upton 3, Trout 1 and Calhoun 1 are the only batters to take him long.
Tyler Skaggs – The majority of the lineup has hit Skaggs for average with only Jason Kipinis .286 and Francisco Lindor .167 hitting below .300. Outfielder Brandon Guyer has absolutely destroyed him hitting .800 with two HRs in five at-bats.
Betting Trends
- Cleveland is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing LA Angels
- Cleveland is 6-2 ATS in its last eight games when playing on the road against LA Angels
- Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last six games when playing on the road against LA Angels
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland’s last six games on the road
- LA Angels are 4-1 SU in its last five games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels last six games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels last six games when playing at home against Cleveland
Speaking of betting trends on the Indians/Angels game, check out what plays are trending in our MLB Picks Forum
Cleveland at LA Angels Prediction 4/4/2018
Many of you will be backing the Indians with Kluber on the mound, and that might be the play for this game. However, I think the total is the way to go here. You can’t knock Kluber for his opening performance allowing two earned runs over eight frames and this afternoon he faces a lineup that he has owned with Indians roster hitting .168 in 125 at-bats against him. The Angels starter Skagg impressed in his opener allowing zero runs over 5.1 innings striking out five. His overall numbers versus today’s opponent are atrocious with the team averaging .382 against him, but those numbers are skewed. Not one player on Cleveland has double-digit at-bats against him, and versus them at home, he has a decent 3.71 ERA with a WHIP of 1.15. Additionally, both starters metrics improve in days starts making this an easy call.
Crew’s Pick: Take the UNDER 7 -104 at 5Dimes to get the best line on this game and guys if you don’t have an account here, now is the time to save money all season long with this betting shop’s overnight nickel lines and dime line betting on game day!