It’s put up or shut up for the LA Angels tonight, Thurs Oct 22, as they host the NY Yankees for Game 5 of the ALCS. The Yankees lead 3-1 and can book a World Series meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies with a win. 28 teams have taken a 3-1 lead and 22 of those have gone on to win the series. MLB oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Angels as -110 moneyline favorites over the Yankees (+103) with the over/under set at 8.5 runs . Be sure to get your LA Angels vs NY Yankees ALCS Game 5 Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com
The Yankees (6-1) call righty A.J. Burnett to the mound tonight as he looks to improve on his last two playoff starts and send the Yankees to the big dance. During Game 2’s win against Minnesota, Burnett pitched six innings, allowed three hits, one run and struck out six, but walked six. In Game 2’s win against the Angels, Burnett pitched 6.1 innings, allowed three hits, two runs and struck out four and walked only two. For all Burnett's wildness and unpredictability, he has been quite successful over his first two career playoff appearances . In his starts against the Twins and Angels, Burnett has compiled a 2.19 ERA, allowing six hits in 12 1/3 innings and striking out 10. The Yanks haven’t said who will be catching for Burnett, but if history has anything to say about it, it’ll most likely be Jose Molina catching for the ninth time dating back to early September. As for offense, Alex Rodriguez is on fire for the Yanks. In the Division Series against the Twins, Rodriguez thrashed Minnesota pitching to the tune of .455 with two homers and six RBIs. Against the Angels, A-Rod is hitting .375 with three homers and five RBIs. It adds up to an overall postseason of a .407 batting average, a 1.000 slugging percentage and insane OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.469. Johnny Damon has come alive with two homers in two straight games. Melky Cabrera went 3-for-4 with four RBIs in the Yankees' 10-1 victory and if the bottom of their lineup can get going, look out!
The Angels (4-3) fate lies in the hands of righty John Lackey. He last pitched Game 1 in NY where he lasted 5 2/3 innings, give up four runs (two earned) on nine hits and three walks, striking out three hitters. He also threw away a pickoff attempt for an error, leading to an unearned run. The Angels will be hoping that the old Lackey of last season’s playoffs shows up. In Game 1 of the ALDS against Boston he shut out the Red Sox across 7 1/3 innings at home. He allowed four hits and one walk while striking out four, notching his first postseason win. For his career, Lackey in the regular season is 5-7 in 16 starts against the Yankees with a 4.66 ERA . He’ll need help from his defense as they have caused some embarrassing moments which have caused their losses. One such example was Maicer Izturis' game-ending error in Game 2, while another was Howie Kendrick's unsuccessful attempt to erase Alex Rodriguez at home in the fourth inning of Game 4 instead of taking the sure out on Robinson Cano at first. Cano later scored on a Melky Cabrera base hit. The Angels have spent the vast majority of this series playing from behind and with Yankees closer Mariano Rivera waiting to pounce, it won’t be good. In addition, there is the added shift in momentum that works to their advantage. If the Angels are fortunate enough to play in New York on Saturday, it will mean they won Game 5, which means the pressure to avoid a seventh game lays squarely on the shoulders of the Yankees.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 4-0 in Lackeys last 4 home starts vs. Yankees.
- Yankees are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
- Angels are 5-1 in Lackeys last 6 home starts vs. Yankees.
- Over is 4-1 in Lackeys last 5 starts vs. Yankees.
- Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Over is 15-5-1 in the last 21 meetings in Los Angeles.
- Yankees are 7-18 in the last 25 meetings in Los Angeles.
- Yankees are 5-0 in Burnetts last 5 starts.
- Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 League Championship home games.
LA Angels vs NY Yankees
When: Thurs, Oct 22, 2009 7:57 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Yankees +103
Point-Spreads.com Be sure to get your LA Angels vs NY Yankees ALCS Game 5 Prediction
The Bottom Line: LET’S GO YANKEES! Be sure to get your LA Angels vs NY Yankees ALCS Game 5 Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com in now at Sportsbook.com and Get a 50% Deposit Bonus and $25 Free Bet at Sportsbook.com, simply use promo code WIN100 and start winning today!
