Boston Red Sox (52-32) vs. Los Angeles Angels (41-41)
July 5, 2021 9:38 pm EDT
The Line: Los Angeles Angels -105 / Boston Red Sox -115; Over/Under: +10
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The Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels meet Monday in MLB action from Angel Stadium. The Red Sox are coming off a series versus the A’s. Boston split the first two in that set, then on Sunday the Sox put up a shutout win. As for the Angels, they played the Orioles this week. Los Angeles won the first two games, then on Sunday the Angels eked out a one-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Boston eked out a 3-2 victory over the Athletics on Friday, then fell 7-6 in the Saturday game. In the Sunday finale, the Red Sox posted six hits in a tight 1-0 win. Nick Pivetta lasted 7.0 innings with two hits and two walks.
For the starting role in the Monday game the Red Sox will go with Martin Perez. Over his 75.2 innings this year Perez has 82 hits, 39 runs (34 earned), nine homers allowed, 26 walks, 62 Ks and a 4.04 ERA.
Over on the Angels’ side, they won 8-7 in the Friday game versus the Orioles, then followed it up with a 4-1 win Saturday. On Sunday, LA gave up four runs in the sixth inning but came back for a 6-5 victory. Patrick Sandoval managed 5.0 innings with two earned on five walks and two hits.
For the starter job on Monday, LA will send Jose Suarez out to the mound. This year over 27.1 innings Suarez has 21 hits, six earned runs, three homers, nine walks, 26 Ks and a 1.98 ERA overall.
The Red Sox are 4-0 in their last four in game one of a series and 5-2 in their last seven Monday games. Boston is 3-7 in their last 10 versus the AL West and 1-4 in their last five road games versus a lefty starter.
Meanwhile, the Angels are 8-3 in their last 11 home games and 6-2 in their last eight at home with a total of 9.0-10.5. The over is 12-4 in LA’s last 16 Monday games and 19-8 in their last 27 in game one of a series.
PICK: I’m still going Red Sox, but we should have a pretty good starter matchup here. Perez has just three earned on 16 hits over his last three starts in 14.0 innings of work. As for Suarez, he hasn’t given up more than one earned in an appearance yet, and has two earned on five hits in his last 6.2 innings. I like both guys to pitch well here in a tight Boston win.
