Los Angeles Angels vs. Kansas City Royals
MLB Prediction: Over 8.5 -110 odds (May 23rd 2013)
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I look for a slug fest tonight between the Los Angeles Angels and the Kansas City Royals. This is a battle between two of the best lineups in baseball from top to bottom.

The Royals may cover this OVER by themselves as they tee off against Los Angeles’ Joe Blanton. The right-hander has been atrocious in 2013, going 0-7 with a 6.62 ERA and 1.967 WHIP through nine starts.

Blanton is also 0-2 with an 8.04 ERA and 2.106 WHIP in his last three starts. That includes a start against Kansas City on May 13th just 11 days ago. Blanton surrendered seven earned runs and 12 hits over 4 2/3 innings of a 4-11 home loss to the Royals.

While Ervin Santana has posted solid numbers this season, he’s at a big disadvantage being a former Angel. Los Angeles has the perfect scouting report on him. Plus, Santana has struggled of late, going 0-2 with a 4.19 ERA in his last three starts.

Los Angeles is 37-16-2 to the OVER in its last 55 games overall. The Angels are 12-2 to the OVER vs. an excellent bullpen whose ERA is 3.00 or better this season. Kansas City is 59-39 to the OVER vs. an average bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 to 4.50 over the last 3 seasons. Bet the OVER in this game Thursday.

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Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels
MLB Pick: Angels -175 odds (May 22nd 2013)
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Not including another easy complimentary winner, I was 4-1 on Tuesday. That included a 12-0 blowout winner with the Angels over the Mariners.

While the price is admittedly a little steep, all signs indicate that the Angels should have the edge again this evening.

Wilson should be pleased to be opposed by someone other than Chris Sale. He’s been matched up against Sale each of his last two starts. He pitched well in both those games but was outduelled by Sale, who didn’t allow a run in either game.

Wilson, who is 12-5 vs. Seattle, has now allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven straight games. Be sure to take advantage of Ben Burn’s premium MLB picks for May 22nd 2013 at Touthouse.com.

Wilson figures to finally get some run support here as Maurer is 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA. He averages five innings per start, allowing a home run per outing. He’s walked eight batters in his last three starts, a span of 15 innings. Opposing batters are hitting .295 against him for the season.

The Angels bullpen is well-rested. Not only did LA get eight complete innings from Williams last night, the previous day was an off day. On the other hand, the M’s played an extra inning game Monday, then traveled across the country. They also only got 3 2/3 innings out of Harang, last night’s starter.

The Angels also have a far better (and hotter) lineup, one which exploded for 15 hits last night.

With yesterday’s victory, the Angels are now 14-7 the last 21 times they were a host in this series. Consider laying the wood.

Chicago White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels
MLB Pick: White Sox +106 odds (May 17th 2013)
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My clients and I have cashed in with the White Sox in each of the last two days, and there’s no reason to jump ship on Friday, as the oddsmakers have once again missed the mark setting them as an underdog with their ace, Chris Sale taking the hill.
The betting marketplace is still having an awfully tough time adjusting to the fact that the Angels are not a good baseball team.

At 15-26 on the season, things obviously haven’t gone the ‘Halos way. While they have too much talent on board not to turn it around at some point, for now they remain an excellent ‘play against’ team, especially in the ‘favorite’ role.

I’ve been high on the White Sox from day one this season, and even after a slow start, still believe they have plenty of upside. We’ve certainly seen signs of life from them lately, as they’ve notched four wins in their last five games, all starting with last Sunday’s masterpiece from Sale against these same Angels.

The towering left-hander has been simply dominant this season, posting a 2.88 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in eight starts, spanning 56 1/3 innings of work. He’s given up only 41 hits while posting a stellar 49:12 stirkeout-to-walk ratio. Home runs have been a bit of an issue as he’s been tagged for six, but only two of those have come over his last five starts. Of course, Sale held the Angels to only one hit in a shutout victory last Sunday night in Chicago, and he also defeated them here in Anaheim last year, allowing only one earned run over 5 1/3 innings pitched.

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C.J. Wilson will counter for Los Angeles. He’s been pitching well, essentially since the start of the season, but unlike Sale, he hasn’t been working deep into ball games and that could cost the Angels again tonight. Note that working behind Wilson is an awful bullpen that has posted a collective 5.02 ERA here at home this season, and coughed up another possible victory last night. Since joining the Angels, Wilson is winless in two starts against the White Sox, both times matching up against Sale.

The Chicago offense has finally come to life, with Alex Rios leading the charge. Even Adam Dunn has come around over the last couple of days, while it’s only a matter of time before Paul Konerko shakes out of his slump (he’s collected a hit in back-to-back games and has looked more comfortable at the plate after a couple of days off). The Angels can score, but they’ve had a miserable time keeping the opposition in check, a big reason why they find themselves in third place in the AL West. Take Chicago (1*).

Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox
MLB Pick: Angels +124 odds (May 12th 2013)
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Three teams qualify for the biggest disappointments in baseball as the Blue Jays, Dodgers and Angels have all gotten off to horrific starts this season. The Angels are starting to piece some things together and this could be the start of a run that we can continue to ride while the price remains on our side.

Los Angeles has won three straight games including the first two in this series and it goes for the sweep behind C.J. Wilson. In his seven starts, five have been quality performances including three of four on the road. He issued a season low two walks last time out so his control issues early on may have ironed themselves out. He has a 2.86 career ERA against the White Sox. Chicago has not played well this season either as it is sitting six games under .500 including two games under .500 at home. This includes a 3-7 home record over the last 10 games. Chris Sale has continued to pitch right where he left off from last year as he has a 3.42 ERA and 1.10 WHIP through seven starts. There has been just one blemish on the card which came at Cleveland but if there is an offense that can get to him again, it is the Angels as they are 15-4 in their last 19 road games against left-handed starters. Play (977) Los Angeles Angels