Free MLB Pick: Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox: August 4th 2009

Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox 8:11 ET
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The white hot Los Angeles Angels (63-40, +$2332) look to destroy yet another Al Central club when they pay a visit to US Cellular Field to take on the Chicago White Sox (54-52, +$409) over the next three days. Manager Mike Scioscia’s club just went into the HHH Metrodome and shellacked the Minnesota Twins by combining to score 35 runs in the three-game sports betting series. With the sweep, the Halos are now the best MLB bet overall, but most impressive is their road record where they’ve won 31 of 50 overall (+$1680). Their offense has been unstoppable since the All Star break scoring an average of 7.6 runs in the 17 games played. They added a half a game to their lead (4.5-games) in the AL West last night after the Texas Rangers choked away a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 9th against the Oakland A’s. Chicago failed to sweep a four-game series against the Yankees their last time out, but still made their fans and baseball betting backers proud by taking three of four. The Palehose come into tonight’s game 30-24 on the year at home (+$177), and have won 14 of their L/20 home games. They trail the AL Central leading Detroit Tigers by two-games and sit nine-games back of the Wild Card leading Boston Red Sox. Chicago took two of three at Angels Stadium back in late May, and has won seven of the L/11 overall meetings.

BetUS Sportsbook currently has John Lackey and the Angels listed as -140 road favorites over Jose Contreras and the White Sox for tonight’s AL clash with the game ‘total’ set at 9 over -120.

Staff ace John Lackey looked the best he has all season his last time out against Cleveland by limiting the hot hitting Indians to just three hits and one earned run through seven innings of work. He won his fourth start in a row and improved his overall record to 7-4 with a 4.00 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. The veteran comes into his 16th start of the year 3-0 with a miniscule 1.14 ERA & 0.72 WHIP with a K/BB ratio of 17/7 his L/3 outings. The Halos are 5-3 in his eight road starts where he’s 3-1 with a 4.02 ERA & 1.28 WHIP. The Halos lost all three of his starts vs. the White Sox last season; he’s 3-6 with a 4.41 career ERA vs. Chicago.

Opposing the veteran will be sinkerballer Jose Contreras who will toe the bump for Manager Ozzie Guillen for the 16th time this season. The White Sox are a bankroll bursting 4-11 in his 15 previous starts, and he’s 0-3 with a 5.94 ERA & 1.80 WHIP his L/3 starts since the All Star break. He limited the Twins to just six hits and three ER’s, but his five walks blew up his pitch count forcing Guillen to yank him after just 5.2 innings. He’s been at his best at home where he’s 2-4 with a 4.10 ERA, but he’s only given up 40 hits in 41.2 total innings while striking out 29 and walking 13. He’s 5-3 with a 3.22 ERA lifetime vs. Anaheim.

We’re gonna play with fire and recommend a nice sized play on the under in this spot even though the over’s cashed in the Halos L/13 games. Neither of these offenses have impressive histories against either starting pitcher, and I expect both Lackey and Contreras to go deep into this one. With each team having off days on Monday, the bullpens are completely refreshed. Look for Game 1 of this solid baseball betting series to be a pitcher’s duel and fall comfortably under the closing number.

Rose’s Recommendation: 3* LAA/CWS Under 9 +100 (Lackey/Contreras)
(Rating Scale: 1* – 5*)