I think today's theme is simple: play numbers, not teams. There's something almost poetic about that, both literally and figuratively speaking, but metaphors aside, the number beside the Angels is telling me something.Los Angeles has been a team in disarray. Thats putting it mildly. They are very well likely the worst team in baseball perhaps let alone the AL. So why are they only a slight underdog at home against Minnesota?
That's the crux of the handicap. But look at the pitching matchup and nothing screams that the Twins deserve substantial favoritism. Connor Prielipp enters 5-7 with a 5.24 ERA, while Grayson Rodriguez counters at 4-7 with a 6.10 ERA.Two hittable starters. Neither bullpen is something I'm rushing to trust. And we're playing at Angel Stadium, where one well-struck baseball can change the complexion of the game in a hurry.That creates volatility. When the starting-pitching matchup offers little security, the bullpens don't provide much reassurance and both offenses possess enough power to punish mistakes, there are a lot of different ways this game can unfold. What is most telling is the market is asking Minnesota backers to lay a short price. That's what catches my attention. If the Angels were sitting at +160, I would not even budge. But they're not, they're sitting just above evens at most outfits. For a team of the Halos' profile, that's an awfully soft number. Sometimes the line tells you more than the standings do. I'm listening. Give me the Angels.
Twins vs Angels prediction: Los Angeles +113 (ML) available at time of publishing. Playable to the number.
