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The rabid baseball fans of Boston only get to see Angels superstar Mike Trout in person for one series a year and that starts on Friday as Los Angeles visits the Red Sox to open a three-game set. The Sox will be favored on the MLB odds.

How to Bet Angels at Red Sox MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Friday, 7:10 PM ET
Where: Fenway Park
Probable pitchers (away/home): Griffin Canning/Nick Pivetta or TBA
TV: MLB Network, MLB Extra Innings

Why Bet on LA Angels? | MLB Betting Odds

The Halos officially released 1B/DH Albert Pujols on Thursday. Pujols was designated for assignment last Thursday and officially passed through waivers unclaimed and become a free agent. The Dominican Republic national team has expressed interest in having the future Hall of Famer slugger on its roster for the upcoming Olympic qualifiers, so that could be an option. It’s not clear if any MLB teams will sign Pujols at age 41.

While the Angels had to fly across country for this series, they were at least off Thursday. It was a needed off day after getting routed 9-1 in Houston on Wednesday. Superstar Mike Trout missed that game but it was simply for rest. Trout has reached base safely in 30 of his 32 games played to start 2021. He leads the Majors in OBP (.477) and OPS (1.150). He also ranks second in slugging (.673), third in batting average (.355), ninth in walks (22) and tied for 10th in total bases (72).

Shortstop Jose Iglesias went 2-for-4; he returned to the lineup and hit second in the order after missing a couple games with back tightness. LA remains without No. 1 catcher Max Stassi as he’s on the concussion injured list.

It’s right-hander Griffin Canning (3-2, 5.19) due on the mound here. Canning allowed one run on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts in a win against the Dodgers last Friday. He threw 51-of-85 pitches for strikes and that run came in the second inning on an RBI groundout by Matt Beaty.

Canning struggled mightily through his first four appearances with an 8.40 ERA in 15 innings. In contrast, he has allowed just one run in 11 innings over his last two starts. The biggest difference is the long ball, in which he surrendered all six of his home runs this year in those first four appearances.

The 25-year-old has a 5.19 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 26 innings. Opposing batters are hitting .257 against him.

Why Bet on Boston? | MLB Betting Odds

Boston and the Angels did not meet during 2020 season. The Red Sox won 2019 season series 4-3 and lead all-time 350-309.

J.D. Martinez leads the majors in RBI (32) and total bases (84). He also ranks in the top 3 in runs scored (2nd, 31), HR (T-2nd, 10), hits (2nd, 44), and XBH (3rd, 20). Since joining the Sox (2018-21), Martinez leads the majors with 294 RBI and ranks 4th with 96 HR. He has hit .304 with a .948 OPS in that time.

The Red Sox are 1 of 2 teams (also the Angels) with 3 qualified players with an OPS of at least .900: Martinez (1.047), Xander Bogaerts (.972), and Rafael Devers (.937). A total 15 of teams have 0 players with a .900+ OPS.

The Sox rank 7th in the AL and 14th in the majors in ERA (3.94), after posting a 5.58 ERA in 2020. Sox starters have thrown 5.0+ innings in 30 games this season, tied with the A’s for most in the AL and 2^nd-most in the majors (LAD-31).

This is the turn of surprising ace Nick Pivetta, but it’s not clear if he will go. Earlier this week, the right-hander was placed on the COVID list but simply because he was suffering from side effects after receiving his most recent vaccination shot. Pivetta made his last start Sunday at Camden Yards in a 4-3 victory over Baltimore. He improved to 5-0 on the season and is a perfect 7-0 through his nine starts with the club since an August trade from the Phillies. He is the 4th starter to begin a Red Sox career with 7+ wins and 0 losses (previous: John Burkett, 7-0 in 2002).

Pivetta has posted a 3.19 ERA in 2021 and held opponents to just a .190 batting average. He has tossed at least 5.0 innings in 6 of his 7 starts this season. If Pivetta can’t go, it likely will be a bullpen day. Eduard Bazardo was recalled from Triple-A Worcester to take Pivetta’s roster spot originally. It’s the second stint on the active roster for Bazardo, a right-handed reliever. He was recalled as the 27th man for an April 14 doubleheader at Minnesota.