Angels vs. Yankees Game 2 Odds
| Angels Odds | +120 |
| Yankees Odds | -145 |
| Over/Under | 8.5 |
| Time | 7:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
The second game of Thursday’s doubleheader between the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees has the potential to look very different from the opening contest.
In the first meeting, it appears to be a clash of titans with top lineups and starters going against each another. However, there is quite a discrepancy between the men on the mound for the nightcap.
Reid Detmers will get the ball for the Angels, as he will be making his third start since throwing a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays. He has yet to maintain any semblance of that form since and could be in line for another rough outing.
As for the Yankees, they hand the ball to Jameson Taillon. The starting pitcher finally appears to be fully healthy for the first time in years, and it has shown through his first nine starts. He's been an integral part of New York’s league-leading ERA this season. The Los Angeles lineup will be a good barometer to see whether his success can be maintained against top-notch competition.
So, who will deliver the final blow in the second battle of the day? Let's find out and see where we can find some betting value.
Los Angeles Angels
Jameson Taillon has gotten off to a torrid 2022 start, and it's because he has gotten back to what he does best. Taillon might have the velocity to blow it by hitters, but he's more successful when he pitches to contact.
His ground ball rate has jumped nearly 12 percent from last season, and his walk rate has dropped by five percent. Taillon's change in approach has produced excellent results as he now has more command over his arsenal, and he's confident that batters won't square him up.
Entering this start, Taillon ranks in the top 40 percent of the league in hard-hit rate, xwOBA, xERA and barrel rate. Part of the reason as to why he's so difficult to square up is his elite stuff.
As I said, the velocity is there for Taillon, but it's his movement that makes him different. His fastball spin rate is in the top ten percent of all qualified pitchers, and his curveball is in the top 20. That type of elite movement has led to many batters swinging at pitches they shouldn't have, as Taillion is in the top 12 percent in chase rate.
Los Angeles’ lineup is not one to hit the ball on the ground, and it certainly will not try to, given the ballpark it’s in for this game. However, we've seen how Taillon's arsenal creates soft contact and ground balls. The Angels’ sluggers aren't immune to it, and Taillon will get the best of them more times than not.
New York Yankees
Detmers was masterful just a few weeks ago when he threw the second no-hitter of the year against the Rays. However, he has yet to have any semblance of that success since then.
Aside from the no-hitter, Detmers has been hit relatively hard in all of his other outings. He'll enter this start in the bottom third of the league in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate and barrel rate. On top of that, he's not missing many bats either. Detmers' strikeout and whiff rates are in the bottom 20 of all qualified pitchers as well.
Those are not numbers that you want up against this Yankees lineup. They are nicknamed the Bronx Bombers and have played up to it this season. New York is leading the majors in ISO against lefties and they rank fifth in wRC+ against left-handers.
Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres and D.J. LeMahieu have hit lefties exceptionally well throughout their careers. So, look for them to lead the way in what looks to be another big offensive night for the Yankees.
Angels-Yankees Pick
This matchup won’t be like the first game of the doubleheader. The Yankees have a significant edge on the mound, as well as a powerful lineup built to feast on the spiraling Detmers.
That said, New York should roll in this nightcap as long as Taillon keeps the ball in the park.
Pick: New York ML (-145)
