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Angels vs. Mariners Prediction and Odds for Thursday, June 16 (Buy Low on Ohtani's Pitching)

By Reed Wallach

Jun 2, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) follows
Jun 2, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) follows / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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It's been a miserable month for the Los Angeles Angels, who have fallen below .500 and are now drifting away from the Wild Card race too.

The team will look to stop the bleeding against AL West foe, the Seattle Mariners, with reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani taking the role of starting pitcher on Thursday night. However, the Mariners are countering with star prospect George Kirby, who has been rock solid in his early big league career.

Here's the odds for this intriguing west coast matchup from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Angels vs. Mariners Odds, Run Line, Total

Run Line:

  • Angels -1.5 (+140)
  • Mariners +1.5 (-165)

Moneyline:

  • Angels -115
  • Mariners +105

Total:

  • 7.5 (OVER +105 | UNDER -125)

Angels vs. Mariners Prediction and Pick

Ohtani has been good this season, but I think there's better days ahead for him on the mound. He has an ERA of 3.64 thus far, slightly down from last season, but his FIP is right in line with last season's numbers at 3.21. He is striking out more batters per 9 innings and walking less, it's a fair argument he is actually pitching better this season than last.

He now faces a Mariners lineup that is fairly shallow, 23rd in batting average since the start of June and paced by pretty much only Julio Rodriguez and Ty France, so I'm bullish on Ohtani putting together a strong start on the road in a hitter friendly Safeco Field.

On the other side, Kirby starts for Seattle, and has been great to start his career, posting a 3.65 ERA and has only walked four batters across 37 innings. However, we could see some negative regression for the rookie with his FIP sitting at 4.11. Los Angeles can't get much going on offense, even worse than the Mariners this month, but there is no denying the talent in the Angels lineup is far superior to the home team.

I'm going to back Ohtani to carry Los Angeles on the mound and at the plate and grab the series opener against Seattle.

LEAN: Angels -115

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