This is it—Sunday night, a massive rivalry game at Angel Stadium between the Los Angeles Angels and the Seattle Mariners. With the series tied 2-2, the Angels are poised to complete a sweep after back-to-back wins. The Mariners, struggling through a five-game losing streak, can’t afford another slip-up. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Sunday night baseball game between the Angels and the Mariners.
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. Mariners prediction, preview
The Mariners’ struggles have been glaring. Despite a solid bullpen, they’re sitting just 13th in runs per game (4.43) and 21st in batting average (.238). On top of that, their pitching staff ranks 17th in ERA (3.94) and 20th in WHIP (1.32). George Kirby’s 8.56 ERA over his last three starts speaks volumes—he’s allowed at least five earned runs in each, failing to keep hitters in check. His fastball velocity is down by 1-2 mph from his career norms, and his command has been off, allowing opponents to hit .318 against him. His strikeout rate has dropped to just 3.5 K/9, well below his career average, and he’s giving up a hard-hit rate of 44% (career-high). The Angels have been solid against right-handed pitchers, with Mike Trout’s career .993 OPS against righties and Taylor Ward’s 17 home runs this season. With Kirby struggling to find his rhythm, he’s ripe for a rough outing tonight.
On the flip side, the Angels are coming off an impressive 8-6 win yesterday, with Jo Adell’s hot bat and Taylor Ward’s power. The Angels have gone 4-1 in their last five games, and despite an underwhelming season, they’ve shown their ability to deliver in key spots. Their offense ranks third in home runs (92) but struggles with consistency, posting just a .227 batting average. However, with Tyler Anderson (3.86 ERA) on the mound, they’ve got a reliable arm on their side. Anderson has been steady this season, and though he’s been prone to the occasional homer, he’s gone 5+ innings in nine of his 12 starts this year. His 26.7% K-rate is solid, and his xERA of 4.26 suggests he’s been a bit unlucky, but his 4.14 FIP indicates he’s pitching well and should keep Seattle in check. The Mariners’ lineup is also much weaker against lefties, ranking just 22nd in OPS vs. southpaws (.672).
Mariners vs. Angels pick, best bet
The Angels have covered the run line in 60% of games following a win, and Seattle has only covered the run line in 41% of games after a loss. Additionally, the Mariners are 0-5 when favored in their last five games and have failed to cover in their last 12 games as favorites after a loss. These trends heavily favor the Angels as the underdogs.
Both teams have offensive threats: Cal Raleigh for Seattle and Adell for the Angels, who’s on a hot streak, hitting .406 with five home runs and nine RBIs in his last 10 games. Adell’s 92.5 mph average exit velocity over his last 50 plate appearances suggests his recent success isn’t flukey. Kirby’s issues with command put him in a vulnerable position against a team that’s hitting home runs at will, while Anderson should be able to keep Seattle’s slumping lineup at bay for most of the game.
Best bet: Angels +1.5 (-160) vs. Mariners
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