Yankees vs. Angels (August 31): Will New York enter a pivotal series on a winning note?

After losing three straight games, the New York Yankees got back on track last night with a 7-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

But with both the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays trying to make a move in the AL East, the Yanks need to follow it up with another win tonight in Anaheim before they head off to Florida for this weekend’s series against the Rays.

New York has a seven-game lead over Tampa Bay, with Toronto a further game behind. So, their lead is still pretty healthy, but with this weekend’s series in St. Pete and the following weekend’s rematch in the Big Apple, that could change quickly.

New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: New York Yankees (79-51, 34-31 away, 1st in the AL East) vs. Los Angeles Angels (56-74, 27-37 home, 4th in the AL West)
• Venue & Location: Angel Stadium (Anaheim, California)
• Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
• Game Time: 9:38 p.m. Eastern Time (6:38 p.m. local time)

Yankees vs. Angels Pitching Matchup

• New York Yankees: Gerrit Cole (2022: 26 starts, 10-6, 3.31 ERA)
• Los Angeles Angels: Patrick Sandoval (2022: 21 starts, 4-9, 3.05 ERA)

Yankees vs. Angels Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. This article may also include odds from some of our other recommended sports betting sites.

Moneyline

• New York Yankees -200
• Los Angeles Angels +168

Over/Under

• Over 7.5 (-114)
• Under 7.5 (-105)

Run Line

• New York Yankees -1.5 (-118)
• Los Angeles Angels +1.5 (-102)

Can the Bronx Bombers Build Off of Tuesday Triumph?

After scoring six runs in three losses to the A’s and Angels, the Yankees broke out in last night’s game.

They fell short of double-digit hits, but of their nine knocks, three were homers.

The biggest blow was Aaron Judge’s three-run homer in the fourth inning, which put New York up 7-2. The blast followed one in Monday’s loss and was the AL MVP favorite’s 51st of the season.

#AllRise for Home Run 51 ? pic.twitter.com/qL7i5k3rli

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 31, 2022

The Yankees have not scored five or more runs in consecutive games since doing so against the St. Louis Cardinals (12-9 loss on August 7) and Seattle Mariners (9-4 win on August 8).

Can they do so tonight? Against the Rays last Thursday, Sandoval allowed more runs (five – in six innings) than he had in his previous four starts (four).

But only one of the runs was an earned run, and he has a 1.07 ERA in his four starts this month. Sandoval has allowed fewer than three runs 14 times in 21 starts this season, including seven times in ten home starts.

While the Yankees hit worse in games started by LHP (.225) than in games started by RHP (.246), they hit much better overall against lefties (.250) than righties (.237) and average 4.95 runs per game in games started by LHP.

New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels Prediction and Best Bets

Yankees vs. Angels Prediction: Yankees to win

Yankees vs. Angels Picks: Angels first five innings +0.5 (Best Value: +105 at Bovada Sportsbook)

It would be nice to believe in the Yankees’ chances to follow up a nice win last night with another one tonight. But they have not done a great job recently of stringing together good days at the plate or, other than last week’s five-game win streak, consecutive wins.

Cole has nine quality starts in 12 road starts this season, and he has five quality starts in his last starts against AL West opposition.

So, a particularly prosperous night at the plate is unlikely for the Angels, but if Sandoval, who has allowed as many homers in his 10 home starts as the Yankees hit last night (and six overall this season), pitches as he has in most of his home starts, the Halos can keep it close for at least a while.

Can they do so the entire way? They are 12-8 (.600) in covering the run line as a home underdog, while the Yankees are just 22-35 (.386) in covering the RL as a road favorite.

That makes Angels +1.5 pretty appealing, but I recommend playing the first five innings and then potentially getting in on some live action if/when a good opportunity (for either side, not just the Angels) presents itself.

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• Yankees vs. Angels Consensus Picks, Betting Stats & Trends (8/31)

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