The Baltimore Orioles enter a tough road battle against the Los Angeles Angels, as both teams remain mired in struggles. Baltimore’s been faltering, sitting at 13-23 and losers of five straight. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Friday night baseball game between the Angels and the Orioles.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Angels vs. Orioles prediction, preview
Tomoyuki Sugano, with his solid 3.00 ERA, will need to step up. Yet, his 5.12 FIP and 2.08 K/9 rate show he can be had. While the Orioles have a team ERA of 5.50 (29th), their starting rotation has been dismal in keeping runs off the board.
Kyle Hendricks, meanwhile, is coming off a stellar start, going 7.2 innings with 1 earned run against Detroit. His 5.28 ERA doesn’t fully reflect the sharpness he’s shown, especially at home. Hendricks’ ability to induce weak contact and his 3.39 K/BB ratio offer some promise in this matchup, especially against a struggling Orioles offense. Despite their power potential with hitters like Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn, Baltimore has posted a 24th-ranked wRC+ (91) this season. Their pitching staff ranks near the bottom, allowing a 1.53 WHIP (28th) and a .287 opposing batting average.
The Angels have their own concerns—ranking 24th in runs scored and 28th in OBP—but they still possess enough firepower to take advantage of Baltimore’s porous pitching. They rank in MLB’s top 10 in barrel rate (95th percentile) with hitters like Logan O’Hoppe (nine home runs) and Jorge Soler (six home runs). Even with Mike Trout sidelined, the Angels have found ways to generate runs, especially at home.
Orioles vs. Angels pick, best bet
The Angels have been resilient against the Orioles, covering the run line in five of their last six night games against AL East teams. They’re also 8-2 to the over in their last 10 games, highlighting an offense that can explode when given the chance. Despite their low ranking in OBP and slugging percentage, Hendricks’ steadiness on the mound gives the Angels an edge here, especially with Sugano’s limitations in getting swing-and-miss stuff.
Baltimore’s bullpen has been a liability, ranking 29th in ERA (5.36) and WHIP (1.63). That’s where the game could be decided, especially late. Sugano has been effective, but the Orioles have struggled against top-tier offenses, and Hendricks is more than capable of outdueling him if the Angels offense finds rhythm. I’ve got this one clocking in at 6-5, so feel I’m also in on the over, as well.
Best bet: Angels (+125) vs. Orioles
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