MLB Predictions: Los Angeles Angels vs. Boston Red Sox Odds: August 18th 2010

Los Angeles Angels vs. Boston Red Sox
MLB Prediction: Under 10 Runs -110 odds
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The Angels offense has disappeared at a bad time as they continue their series with the Red Sox in Boston on Wednesday night. Los Angeles has scored just 23 runs in their last eight games including being shutout twice. They’ll see an old friend in John Lackey tonight. Lackey is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in two starts against the Angels already this season. In those two games, he gave up just three runs and nine hits in 14.3 innings of work. Torii Hunter (9-40), Hideki Matsui (8-34), Bobby Abreu (7-31), Maicer Izturis (0-6), Howard Kendrick (1-6), Mike Napoli (0-4), and Erick Aybar (0-3) all struggle with the Red Sox starter. The Angels are hitting right around .255 as a team on the road this season. Boston’s bullpen is 9-4 with an ERA close to 3.65 at home this season.

Scott Kazmir’s first two starts off the DL have been better than his earlier season results. He has given up just three runs and seven hits in 11 innings pitched against the Blue Jays and Tigers. Kazmir is familiar with the Red Sox with 27 career starts against them. Earlier this season, he was touched up by the Red Sox, but the lefty has improved since then. David Ortiz (9-44), Mike Lowell (10-43), Adrian Beltre (3-20), JD Drew (2-9), and Bill Hall (2-8) all have poor numbers against the lefty. Boston has gone Under the total in two of their last three games after scoring just 12 runs in those games. With Lackey’s success against his former team, and Kazmir’s improved form, we’ll recommend a play on the Under in this game between the Angels and Red Sox tonight.