Angels vs. Phillies Odds
| Angels Odds | +160 |
| Phillies Odds | -180 |
| Over/Under | 8 (-115 / -105) |
| Time | 7:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
| Odds via Caesars. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
The Los Angeles Angels must feel like they're having a bad dream.
They were off to a great start to this season and were actually leading the American League West — but they've now lost nine games in a row and sit at 27-26, 7.5 games behind the Houston Astros for the division lead.
The Philadelphia Phillies have also not had the season they were hoping for so far this year. They fired Manager Joe Girardi Friday morning, and the team responded by hitting five home runs on the way to a 10-0 victory over the Angels.
The firing appeared to have its desired effect, but who will get the job done in Saturday night's nationally televised game on FOX?
Angels Need a Win
The Angels have to be tired of losing at some point, but a matchup with Phillies ace Zack Wheeler isn't exactly what the doctor ordered. Wheeler established himself as a top-five pitcher in all of baseball last year, and after a difficult start to the season, he's rebounded and now has a 3.16 ERA on the year.
In Wheeler's last six starts, he's completed six innings and allowed less than three runs in five of them. He has also struck out at least seven batters in all six starts. His last two starts were particularly impressive, as he had to go against division opponents in the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves on the road.
Wheeler has a 27% K% against both right-handed and left-handed batters this year, and the Angels' projected lineup has just two players with below a 20% K% against right-handed pitching this season.
With third baseman Anthony Rendon still on the injured list, the Angels' already top-heavy lineup will continue to rely on Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and Taylor Ward to try to score some runs.
Can Phillies Keep Rolling?
Michael Lorenzen has been pretty solid this season with a 3.19 ERA. Each of his last three starts have been quality starts, as have five of his last six starts.
He has consistently pitched well, but his peripheral numbers show he's not exactly untouchable. Lorenzen has a 4.89 xFIP, 18% K% and 6% BB% this year. His saving grace is his 54% ground ball percentage. Getting over 50% ground balls from both right-handed and left-handed hitters is the key for Lorenzen.
He does have a sizable split against left-handed hitters, as his ISO allowed to left-handed hitters this season sits at .246 compared to .029 against right-handed batters. The Phillies' Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are left-handed hitters with ISOs above .248 against right-handed pitching this season and represent the most difficult matchups for Lorenzen here.
Harper and Schwarber are coming in hot as well, as each homered twice in the wake of Girardi's firing Friday night.
Angels-Phillies Pick
I like the Phillies to hand another loss to the Angels here.
The Angels are desperate for a victory, but the Phillies have their ace on the mound, and their big bats seem to have woken up a bit last night. I think Philadelphia keeps the good time going on national television.
With the Phillies having the advantage on both sides here, let's take them on the run line -1.5 (+105) at DraftKings.
Pick: Phillies RL -1.5 (+105)
