Los Angeles Angels (3-6) at New York Yankees (5-3)
7 :05 PM ET on MLBN
Starting Pitchers
LAA: S. Kazmir (0-0, N/A)
NYY: P. Hughes (0-0, N/A)
The Los Angeles Angels will be looking to record two consecutive wins for the first time this season as they face off against rival the New York Yankees in the final contest of a three game series on Thursday at Yankee Stadium.
In game one the Halos fell behind 7-1 through eight innings, and only a ninth-inning grand slam by Bobby Abreu made the final score even close. Starter Ervin Santana allowed 13 baserunners in 5 2/3 innings (eight hits and five walks), including two home runs. Anaheim bounced back winning game two 5-3 on Wednesday behind a solid pitching performance from newcomer Joel Piñeiro. It was the firs time this season Anaheim did not give up a home run. Through the first eight games of the year, Angels starters ranked last in the AL with a 1-6 record and 5.91 ERA. After falling behind 2-0 in the third inning Nick Swisher’s RBI triple trimmed the deficit 2-1. The Angles added three more and hung on as Fernando Rodney closed out the game preserving the win.
Tampa Bay transplant Scott Kazmir, who went on the 15-day disabled list (right hamstring strain) on March 31, is expected to make his season debut for the Angels on Thursday. The southpaw started six games for the Halos last season going 2-2 with an ERA of 1.73. Kazmir is 6-5 in 14 career starts against New York with 2.67 ERA.
The Yankees will put their hopes of taking the series finale on 23-year old right-handed pitcher Phil Hughes. Hughes, who grew up just 25 miles away from Anaheim, will be making his third appearance against the team he had grown up watching as a kid. He is 2-0 with an ERA of 5.23 versus the Angels lifetime.
The Odds Makers have the Yankees as a -1.5 point favorite.
Anaheim pitchers have allowed 12 home runs during the first week of the season, including nine in a four-game series against the Twins, the most in the majors through the season’s first week.
Maybe that closed-door meeting manager Mike Scioscia held after Tuesday’s loss did the trick. Angels DH Hideki Matsui, who spent seven seasons with the Yankees and was last year’s World Series MVP, is 0 for 9 with four strikeouts through the first two games of the three-game set.
I expect the Yankees to battle back in a close game three, winning the series much like they did in last year’s AL championship.
Los Angeles Angels Betting Trends:
- LA Angels are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games
- LA Angels are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road
- LA Angels are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing NY Yankees
- LA Angels are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
New York Yankees Betting Trends:
- NY Yankees are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
- NY Yankees are 14-3 SU in their last 17 games at home
- NY Yankees are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing LA Angels
- NY Yankees are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against LA Angels
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