Wednesday’s MLB Over/Under: Anderson Takes On Peña at The Coliseum

Wednesday’s MLB Over/Under: Anderson Takes On Peña at The Coliseum article feature image
Credit:

Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Felix Pena (64) fields a ball in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Betting odds: Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics 

  • Over/Under: 8.5
  • First Pitch: 10:05 p.m. ET
  • Probable Pitchers: Felix Peña (3-4, 3.75 ERA) vs. Brett Anderson (3-5, 4.35 ERA)

Zylbert's 2018 MLB Over/Under Betting Record: 96-67-4, +21.95 units

Yesterday's Result: Nationals-Marlins Under 7.5, Strasburg vs. Alcantra (WIN)

*Each bet graded as if it were to win 1 unit


Every baseball season, there are young pitchers who rise up and make a name for themselves for the first time. First-year starter Felix Peña could be one of those names in 2018.

The 28-year-old has done a wonderful job contributing quality work for an Angels pitching staff that has desperately needed it this year due to their many injuries.



Peña will be making his 16th start of the campaign. Although he enters with just a modest 3-4 record and 3.53 ERA as a starter, Peña has probably been better than that.

If not for a disastrous outing that saw him allow seven runs while only retiring one batter in late-July, his numbers would look a lot prettier overall.

Still, that shouldn't take away from the consistency that he's shown, as Peña has surrendered more than three runs only twice this year — and one of those starts was still a solid one, when he gave up four runs in six frames and struck out a career-high 12 batters.

The main key to help ensure we'll get Peña in his steady form is that he'll be on the road, where he's simply been much better since first being summoned by the Halos.

All you have to do is look at his splits: 2-1 in seven away assignments with a shiny 2.21 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and .221 opponent batting average. By contrast, he's 1-3 in eight starts (and two relief appearances) with a 5.27 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and .265 BAA at home. The difference in his home-and-road splits actually ranks among the largest among all major league starters.

Conversely, tonight's counterpart, left-hander Brett Anderson, typically works better when toeing the rubber at the Oakland Coliseum, and fortunately, that's where he'll be this evening.

When pitching in Oakland this season, the 10-year veteran has crafted a 2.55 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and .207 BAA. While it's within a smaller size, that still easily bests the 5.36 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and .324 BAA he's registered on the road.

And it's continued a prevalent trend throughout his years in the big leagues, as Anderson has gone 13-12 with an acceptable 3.58 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 244 career innings pitched at the Coliseum.

Anderson will be seeking to take advantage of what might be considered a favorable matchup. After all, the Angels have been one of the worst teams against left-handed pitching all year, entering tonight's action with a .226 batting average opposite southpaws — that mark has them tied with the Mets for last in all of baseball.

This over/under still has a shot of jumping up to 9, so wait until first pitch if we indeed get that desired line movement. If we don't, I'm still on this under at 8.5.

Play: UNDER 8.5/9



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