MLB Odds, Picks, Predictions: Angels vs. Rangers Betting Preview, With Shohei Ohtani On the Mound (April 14)
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images. Pictured: Shohei Ohtani.
- Shohei Ohtani and the Angels are favored against the Rangers on Thursday night.
- Ohtani is the prized attraction each and every night, but could he run into trouble on the road?
- Continue reading for a full breakdown of the matchup, including a betting pick.
Angels vs. Rangers Odds
| Angels Odds | -140 |
| Rangers Odds | +115 |
| Over/Under | 8.5 |
| Time | 8:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
The Los Angeles Angels take their road-Sho to Texas for an AL West Sho-down with the Rangers. Oh, and Shohei Ohtani is pitching the opening game of this four-game series Thursday night.
Both teams are trying to establish themselves as serious contenders in the AL West this season, and both are succeeding … at disappointing everyone!
Nice one.
Considering both teams are kind of a bummer already, this is an intriguing match up. The Rangers spent big on upgrading their offense this offseason, and it seems to be paying off to a degree. Unfortunately, their pitching was not truly upgraded, and they have one of the league's worst team ERA's to start the season. Whoops!
On the other side, the Angels are hoping to remain healthy and live up to expectations for a change. If they can do that, they should be in line to still disappoint everyone by the end of the season.
Can Ohtani Carry the Angels?
Despite all of the big names and high expectations, the Angels offense has struggled out of the gate.
So far, the Angels have amassed the league's 20th-best team wRC+, and that is with the benefit of playing all of their games at home to open the season.
Shohei Ohtani has served as the primary leadoff hitter so far in 2022, but he's slashing just .160/.160/.200 to start the season. Zero walks! What the Angels thought would be a serious weapon at the top of the order has really backfired on them so far.
Mike Trout has also been slow out of the gate, but at least he has a walk!
Additionally, Anthony Redon and Jo Adell have been struggling, as well. Just Brandon Marsh and Jared Walsh have put up solid offensive numbers to open the season.
Ohtani will also be on the hill for the Angels to open the series, and the thing about him is that he doesn't pitch very well on the road. In 2021, he was knocked around for a 5.02 ERA, although his 3.34 FIP indicates he experienced some tough luck. This does not bode well for a team heading into a tough hitting environment.
Rangers Leaning on Dunning
The Texas Rangers offense has been above average thus far, posting a 109 team wRC+, but considering what they spent in the offseason, above average is kind of a let down.
The focal point of this match up is really Dane Dunning, who loves pitching at home.
In 2021, Dunning posted a 3.09 ERA with an even better 2.72 FIP. That also seems to be reflected in his career splits as well where he is around two runs better at home than on the road.
Angels-Rangers Pick
The Rangers have enough offense and an underrated home pitcher going up against an offense that is struggling.
The spacious Globe Life Field is not a great place for the Angels' offense to get it going, but the hype around the Angels makes the Rangers an even better value. Anything you can get for the Rangers in the plus-money range is good to go.
Pick: Rangers +115
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