Athletics vs. Angels Prediction and Odds for Saturday, May 21 (Frankie Montas Makes Oakland a Great Underdog Bet)
By Reed Wallach
The Angels regression has hit swiftly this week as the team has dropped 4 straight to bottom tier AL West competition.
The Angels dropped the first game of a 3 game series against the Athletics at home on Friday night, on the heels of being swept by the Texas Rangers on the road. Can they get on track with Michael Lorenzen on the mound for the Halos on Saturday? Or will Oakland take the 3 game set behind the play of Frankie Montas?
Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:
Athletics vs. Angels Odds, Run Line, Total
Run Line:
- Athletics: +1.5 (-175)
- Angels: -1.5 (+145)
Moneyline:
- Athletics: +131
- Angels: -141
Total: 7.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Athletics vs. Angels Prediction and Pick
Lorenzen is coming off his best start as an Angel against Oakland last week, tossing 7 innings of 5 hit baseball, allowing only 1 run. However, I'm going to fade him in the second go around. Lorenzen's FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) is nearly 1 run higher than his ERA, meaning that he has been getting bailed out in the field by his teammates. The converted reliever is striking out less than 7 batters per 9 innings, leaving him open to walks and hard hit contact.
I would far prefer Montas as an underdog. He has a more sustainable set of metrics when looking at his FIP, posting a career best WHIP of 1.020, allowing less than 7 hits per 9 innings. The 2021 6th place Cy Young finisher is posting even better metrics than last season, striking out a shade under 10 batters per 9.
I'll take the better pitcher at an underdog price as the Angels continue to fall back to Earth after a hot start. While many will not believe the Angels can lose 5 in a row to divisional foes not named the Astros, Montas has a 2.36 ERA across 14 appearances (11 starts) vs. the Halos.
LEAN: Athletics +131
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!