LA Angels at Boston Red Sox MLB Baseball Betting Preview

Posted by Jordan Walterss on Thursday,June 30, 2016 10:46, EDT in

The Boston Red Sox were probably the American League’s best team in April and May but just finished off a terrible June. So they are likely glad to see the calendar turn to July and Boston opens a three-game weekend series with an equally struggling Los Angeles Angels team on Friday night. The Red Sox will be big favorites on betting lines for Game 1.

Taking a Look at the LA Angels at Boston Red Sox MLB Baseball Betting Preview & TV Info

When: Friday, July 1, 7:10 PM ET
Where: Fenway Park, Boston
Probable pitchers (away/home): Jhoulys Chacin/Steven Wright
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream: MLB.tv
Radio: Los Angeles / Boston
Opening MLB Lines: Red Sox favored by TBA

Angels at Red Sox Historic Betting Trends

Boston figured to get well early this week with a three-game series at Tampa Bay, which entered it on an 11-game losing streak. But the Red Sox lost two of three. Presumed ace David Price struggled again Wednesday in taking the loss. Including that game, Price has allowed at least four earned runs in six of his 17 starts. Last season, he gave up four or more earned runs in only five of his 32 starts.

Boston concluded a six-game road trip at 2-4, having been outscored 42-28 in Texas and Tampa Bay. Boston went 10-16 in June. And the team might now have an injury concern with first baseman Hanley Ramirez. He appeared to injure his back on a ferocious swing-and-miss in the sixth inning Wednesday. As of now, Ramirez is considered day-to-day, but if it’s an oblique injury then he could land on the DL. The Sox already are without left fielder Chris Young. He underwent an MRI in Boston on Monday that revealed what Manager John Farrell described as “a little bit more injury to the hamstring than the physical exam in the training room.” Initially, Farrell said Young was diagnosed with a Grade 1 (mild) strain. Timetable on Young’s return not yet clear, but it won’t be before the All-Star break. But fellow outfielder Brock Holt could be activated off the DL for Friday’s game.

Baseball fans of the Home Run Derby got some bad news on Wednesday when Boston’s David Ortiz said he wouldn’t participate in his finals season. Big Papi hasn’t participated in that since 2010, when he won it in Anaheim. Ortiz leads the majors with a 1.108 OPS and the Red Sox with 18 homers. His 521 career homers are the third most among active players, trailing only Alex Rodriguez (695)and Albert Pujols (574).

Boston starts its best current pitcher here in knuckleballer Steven Wright (8-5, 2.18). The potential All-Star will try to recover from a rare bad outing when he opens a nine-game homestand vs. the Angels. Wright, who gave up seven hits and eight runs (three earned) vs. Texas last time out, is 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA at Fenway this season. Albert Pujols is 2-for-5 with a homer off him.

The Angels go with Jhoulys Chacin (3-6, 5.64). He wasn’t sharp last time out, allowing four runs and six hits over 4.2 innings. He was traded from Atlanta earlier this season and faced Boston at Fenway Park while with the Braves on April 28. Chacin got the win in one of his rare decent starts of the year, allowing two runs in five innings.

Expert Betting Prediction

Chacin hasn’t been good in his past four starts. Wright, meanwhile, has been strong at home and won’t have another bad start. Go Red Sox on betting lines.