The Tampa Bay Rays, currently five games into their 11 game road trip, play the Los Angeles Angels in the second of a three-game set at Angels Park in Anaheim. Tampa Bay got good run support in their Monday opener and solid pitching by starter David Price to pick up a 5-1 victory over slumping Los Angeles Angels. LA, losers of three straight and six of the last 10 games, will look to get back on a winning track against the Rays. LA will start ace right-hander Dan Haren (5-3, 2.29 ERA) hoping he can stop the bleeding. Tampa Bay will counter with a rookie, right-hander Alex Cobb (0-0, 5.91 ERA)..
With Cobb and Haren scheduled as tonight's starters, odds makers installed LA as -170 MLB Odds favorites on the offshore moneyline with a 7 1/2-run total. Rays backers will be getting +150 odds as the game underdog. Runline prices have the Angels getting +135 at -1 1/2 while Rays’ backers are giving -155 at +1 1/2.
There was some concern in the Angels clubhouse that Haren might be a no-go tonight after experiencing what is described as tightness in his lower back after throwing a bullpen session in Kansas City last Wednesday. Haren missed one start against the Yankees on Saturday but all indicators say he's ready to go in tonight's game against the Rays.
With American League East leaders New York and Boston going at it in the Bronx this week, the Rays have a chance to gain some ground in the division. Tampa Bay is currently in third place 3 1/2 games off the pace of the Yankees currently leading second place Boston by a game.
The Angels have fallen by the way-side in the AL West, now in third place 4 1/2-games in back of first place Texas and two-games behind the Seattle Mariners in second.
Early betting trends show the public strongly backing the veteran Dan Haren in this one with 81% playing the Halos on the runline while 55 % are risking LA on the MLB Odds moneyline. The OVER (7 ½) is the preferred totals bet by 58% of bettors.
