MLB Betting Preview

New York Yankees (70-54) at Los Angeles Angels (72-51)

Monday, 10:05 pm Eastern – ESPN 2

Opening Line: Yankees -140, Total of 9.5 Over (-120)

Two of the best teams in baseball begin a three game series tonight in Los Angeles as the Angels host the New York Yankees.  The Angels lead the American League West but have Seattle right at their heels while the Yankees are closing fast on the Red Sox in the American League East in addition to being in the Wild Card hunt.

The Yankees have gone 27-11 since the All-Star break including taking three of four from Detroit over the weekend. Johnny Damon went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and Wilson Betemit added four RBIs. "We have guys who understand this is crunch time, guys who know how to flip the switch,” said Damon. Rookie Phil Hughes (2-1, 4.44 ERA) gets the start for New York tonight. He gave up three runs and five hits in a 6-3, 10-inning loss to Baltimore in his last start. This will be his first-ever start against the Angels.

Current Line: Yankees -147, Total of 10 Over (-115)

Los Angeles got a split against the Red Sox over the weekend as they won 3-1 on Sunday behind Joe Saunders who allowed just one run in 7 2-3 innings.  The Angels now play 17 of their next 20 at home.  Los Angeles has the best home record in baseball at 40-17. Dustin Moseley (4-2, 4.84) goes for the Angels on Monday.  He gave up two runs and nine hits in five innings of the 2-1 loss to Toronto in his last start. Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero is hitting .305 in 49 lifetime games against the Yankees.

The Yankees are 12-2 in their last 14 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Yankees are 6-1 in their last 7 road games. The Yankees are 13-3 in their last 16 vs. a team with a winning record. The Yankees are 21-8 in their last 29 overall. The Yankees are 3-7 in their last 10 vs. the American League West. The Yankees are 2-6 in the last 8 meetings in Los Angeles.

The Angels are 6-1 in their last 7 games as a home underdog. The Angels are 39-14 in their last 53 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Angels are 1-4 in Moseley's last 5 starts.

The Over is 4-1 in the Yankees last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 12-5-1 in the Yankees last 18 vs. the American League West.

The Over is 7-3 in the Angels last 10 home games. The Over is 11-5-1 in the Angels last 17 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 4-1 in Moseley's last 5 home starts. The Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams.