Pittsburgh Pirates (16-19) vs LA Angels (12-21)
May 6, 2024 at 06:40 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Pittsburgh Pirates -120 / LA Angels +102 — Over/Under: 8
The Los Angeles Angels and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Monday in MLB action from PNC Park. Here’s a LA Angels vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction. This will be the first installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. We will examine:
• The Los Angeles Angels recent form and player performance
• The Pittsburgh Pirates recent form and player performance
• Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Los Angeles Angels
• Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Pittsburgh Pirates
• Recent betting trends in games played between the Angels and Pirates
• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Angels vs Pirates game
Los Angeles Angels Betting Preview
The Angels are coming off a weekend series versus the Cleveland Guardians. Los Angeles split the first two games in that set 6-0 (win Friday) and 7-1 (loss Saturday). In the Sunday rubber match, the Angels had an early lead but ended up falling 4-1 in the end. Griffin Canning gave up two earned in the start with four hits and one walk in 6.0 innings.
In the starter slot for the Monday matchup the Angels are going with Tyler Anderson. This year Anderson is 2-3 with a 2.23 ERA in six starts. Anderson has 27 strikeouts over 36.1 frames total. In his career Anderson is 52-52 with a 4.27 ERA in 180 games (172 starts).
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
Over on the Pirates’ side, they they also split their first two games over the weekend versus the Colorado Rockies. Pittsburgh lost 3-2 in game one, then eked out a Saturday win 1-0. On Sunday the Pirates scored four runs in the sixth inning on the way to a 5-3 win. Starter Bailey Falter finished with three earned on six hits and two walks in 5.1 innings.
As starter for Monday’s game, the Pirates will send out Mitch Keller. This year Keller is 2-3 with a 5.18 ERA in seven starts, striking out 39 batters in 40.0 innings. Keller is 27-41 with a 4.74 ERA in 109 games (107 starts). The Pirates will face the Cubs following this series.
Angels vs Pirates Injury Notes
Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe (hand) was out of the lineup for Sunday’s game versus Cleveland, as was 2B Luis Rengifo (illness).
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three games as favorites.
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one hit in 13 of his last 14 home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one total base in 13 of his last 14 home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Mitch Keller has recorded seven or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances against AL West opponents.
- Edward Olivares has recorded at least one RBI in five of his last six home appearances against AL opponents.
- Edward Olivares has recorded a Single in each of his six previous appearances against the Angels.
- Bryan Reynolds has scored a run in five of the Pirates’ last six home games.
- Mitch Keller has recorded a win in three of his last four home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
Los Angeles Angels Player Prop Facts
- Tyler Anderson has recorded five or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Taylor Ward has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Anthony Rendon has recorded at least one Single in 10 of his last 11 appearances with his team as a road underdog against NL Central opponents.
- Mike Trout has scored at least one run in eight of his last nine road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Tyler Anderson has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
- Mike Trout has hit a home run in four of his last five road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Zach Neto has recorded at least one Double in three of his last four appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Luis Rengifo has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 road appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Anthony Rendon has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 13 appearances against the Pirates.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 28th in the league for home runs this season (26).
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 28th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.335).
- The Los Angeles Angels rank 27th in the league for ERA this season (4.90).
- The Los Angeles Angels rank 27th in the league for runs allowed this season (180).
LA Angels vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
I’ll lean toward the Angels. Anderson gave up three earned on five hits and two walks in 6.0 innings during his last start. In the two starts prior to that, Anderson managed three earned in 12.0 innings but went 0-2 in that pair. As for Keller, he’s given up 11 earned in his last 16.0 innings over three starts, also going 0-2 along the way.
On Sunday the Angels faltered in the later innings and ended up with a pretty tepid effort at the plate overall. Los Angeles should match up well in this series if all goes according to plan, though.