MLB Angels vs White Sox Betting Analysis

The Chicago White Sox can’t quite clinch the AL Central Division on Tuesday night by beating the Los Angeles Angels, but they can inch that much closer to doing so perhaps by this weekend. The Pale Hose are heavy favorites on the MLB odds behind Lucas Giolito.

Los Angeles Angels vs Chicago White Sox Preview | MLB Betting

How to Bet Angels at Chicago MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Tuesday, 8:10 PM ET
Where: Oracle Park
Probable pitchers (away/home): Packy Naughton/Lucas Giolito
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
Opening MLB Lines: TBA (White Sox will be big favorites)

Why Bet on LA Angels?

The Angels went 3-1 against the White Sox in the opening four games of the regular season. LA needs one victory to secure a fifth consecutive season series win against the White Sox.

Monitor the status of promising young Angels outfielder Jo Adell. He was scratched from Sunday’s game with a sore back. He ran into the outfield wall on Saturday. Adell has 11 hits – including three home runs – in his last 30 at-bats. He’s struck out just six times.

So far in 130 at-bats this season, Adell is hitting .246 with a .703 OPS. That doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a dramatic improvement from his .161 and .478 numbers in 124 at-bats last year. His strikeout rate has been cut from 41.7 percent to 22.9 percent. In the outfield, he was negative-4 Defensive Runs Saved last year, and this year he’s plus-1.

Shohei Ohtani leads the Majors in home runs (44), is second in extra-base hits (74) and slugging (.612), is tied for fourth in total bases (289), fifth in OPS (.972), tied for sixth in triples (5), is tied for eighth in stolen bases (23), tied for ninth in RBI (94) and tied for 10th in runs scored (91). He has also made 21 pitching starts (9-2, 3.36 ERA, 136 SO, .211 BAA).

The Angels are 22-10 (.688) in 1-run games this season; the .688 winning percentage leads the Majors. Their best record in 1-run games came in 1985, when the team went 30-13 (.698) in 1-run contests.

It’s lefty Packy Naughton on the mound here, making his fifth appearance (third start) of the season and third road appearance (second start) of the year. It’s his first career appearance vs. White Sox.

Naughton struck out five over five scoreless innings last Tuesday against the Padres, but didn’t factor into the decision. Naughton allowed just two hits and a pair of walks. The 25-year-old is considered one of the better pitching prospects in the Angels’ system, and showed why he has a chance to be a starter in the long-term. He was acquired by the Angels on Aug. 31, 2020 from Cincinnati in exchange for OF Brian Goodwin.

Why Bet on Chicago White Sox?

Chicago likely will get back shortstop and leadoff hitter Tim Anderson from the injured list on Tuesday. On the IL since Sept. 1 (retroactive to Aug. 29) with a left hamstring strain, Anderson went through a vigorous pregame workout Sunday, testing the injury by running the bases.

Not only is he one of the American League’s best hitters getting things going at the top of the lineup, but he’s a constant source of energy in all facets of the game. The 2019 AL batting champ is in the midst of another strong season, hitting .302/.331/.458 with 14 home runs and 17 stolen bases.

“The key is his legs are such a critical part of his game,” Manager Tony La Russa said. “Whether it’s defense or offense, he tweaked it one time before and it was the same so we were being very super careful with it. … When he plays, it helps spark everybody. Now, he’s doing it in the dugout as a cheerleader, but it’s not the same as when he plays. Getting him back will be a big boost for us.”

The Sox are expected to activate pitcher Lucas Giolito off the injured list for this one. Giolito went on the IL on September 3 — retroactive to September 1 — due to a left hamstring strain, but he’s already logged a few bullpen sessions without issue. Giolito is 9-9 with a 3.69 ERA, 180 strikeouts, a .221 average against, 1.11 WHIP and .279 on-base percentage in 27 starts.

“I never like to be on the IL, like, at all,” Giolito said. “If it were toward the end of the year, I probably wouldn’t do the IL and just progress through. But we are in a spot right now where we have time on our side, so that was the choice that was made. I’m progressing very nicely.”

The White Sox are 9-3 over their last 12 games at home and 48-25 (.658) at Guaranteed Rate Field this season, the best winning percentage in the American League. Their magic number to clinch the American League Central division is nine. Chicago has homered in six straight home games (13 home runs total).

Game Trends

Angels are 4-0 in their last 4 Tuesday games.
Angels are 5-1 in their last 6 games following an off day.
Angels are 3-8 in their last 11 road games.
White Sox are 11-2 in their last 13 during game 1 of a series.
White Sox are 38-13 in their last 51 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
White Sox are 19-7 in their last 26 home games vs. a left-handed starter.