The Los Angeles Angels are enjoying playing spoiler to the Wild Card hopes of the Seattle Mariners. L.A. beat the Mariners 2-1 on Saturday night — the second consecutive victory over Seattle.
The loss came with more bad news as Julio Rodriguez missed the game with back spasms a day after Eugenio Suarez went on the injured list with a fractured right index finger.
If it is going to stay in the playoff race, Seattle is going to need some magic from Sunday’s starting pitcher Marco Gonzales, who had success against the Halos last time he faced them. Can he do it again? Continue reading for our free MLB betting picks and predictions for Mariners vs. Angels on September 18.
Mariners vs Angels best odds
Mariners vs Angels picks and predictions
The Los Angeles Angels are out of the playoffs and have ensured they will have a losing record for the seventh straight season.
The team, however, has put together a two-game winning streak at the expense of the Seattle Mariners. They have a really good chance to make it three straight when they send Reid Detmers to the mound.
The rookie has performed well since coming back from Triple-A Salt Lake City on July 8, allowing 18 earned runs in 54 innings.
One of those games was in Seattle on August 8. The 23-year-old left-hander went seven innings allowing just one run on six hits and picked up his fourth win of the season. His performance earned the praise of Angels’ interim manager Phil Nevin.
"He was awesome. You're seeing a really good one just growing before our eyes," Nevin said. "It was a big outing for him."
For the Mariners, the injury bug couldn’t have come at a worse time. They lost one player for sure and two others are not expected to play on Sunday against the Angels.
Third baseman Eugenio Suarez fractured his finger in Friday’s game and was placed on the injured list on Saturday. Julio Rodriguez had back spasms during warm ups on Saturday and was a late scratch. Mitch Haniger was already out a week with back issues.
“Our guys always compete really hard,” manager Scott Servais said. “We got a little adversity thrown our way. It happens,” Servais said. “That’s why you have a 26-man roster. You need everybody to step up and do their job.”
One player that especially needs to be strong on Sunday is Gonzales. The last time the 30-year-old lefty faced the Angels, he allowed three runs over six innings and struck out a season-high seven.
Still, Los Angeles seems to have the Mariners’ number at least for the last two games. That should continue on Sunday.
My best bet: Angels moneyline (+100 at WynnBET)
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Mariners vs Angels betting preview
Jump to:
•Side analysis •Over/Under analysis •Starting pitchers •Injuries •Weather •Trend to know
Moneyline analysis
The Angels have a great opportunity to win three straight over Seattle, especially since the Mariners have been hit hard with injuries the last week. Julio Rodriguez (back) led the team in batting average at .279 and hits with 137, while Eugenio Suarez was the top home-run hitter with 31 and RBIs at 84.
That’s a lot of offense to lose and there doesn’t seem to be anyone on the roster that will be able to take their place. Ty France has 19 homers and is capable of hitting the long ball but he can’t hide without Rodriguez and Suarez.
The Angels are riding a hot streak and I’ll back them until it ends.
Over/Under analysis
The total opened at 9.0 for this game but dropped down to 8.5 at most sportsbooks. The Over is at -118, while the Under is at +100.
The Over is the favorite but should it be? The two starting pitchers — Gonzales and Detmers — have ERAs just below four, but Gonzales hasn’t given up more than three runs in his last five starts.
Detmers, however, is where Under backers could get hammered. The rookie has allowed four runs in three of his last four games. He has pitched well against Seattle, however.
In August, Detmers allowed one run on six hits through seven innings and struck out seven. So, if he can repeat that performance the Under should hit.
The Under is 13-6-1 in the Mariners' last 20 games with the total set between 7.0-8.5 and is also 10-4-2 on the Under in their last 16 road games with the same total.
The Angels have hit the Under four of the last six times against a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Mariners vs Angels game info
• Location: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
• Date: Sunday, September 18, 2022
• First pitch: 4:07 p.m. ET
• TV: ROOT Sports, Bally Sports
Starting pitchers
Marco Gonzales (10-13, 3.89 ERA): The longest-tenured pitcher on Seattle’s staff turned into the club’s reliable fifth starter. Gonzales has pitched well lately. In two September starts, he has faced two playoff-bound teams (Atlanta and Chicago White Sox) and allowed four runs and six hits in 13 innings. His ERA for August was 2.77.
Reid Detmers (5-5, 3.82 ERA): It appears the send down to the minors freshened up Detmers. The 23-year-old has pitched well since returning on July 8. In 10 games, he has compiled a 3-2 record. September has been a bit concerning, though. In his last outing, he gave up four runs on six hits through five innings to the Cleveland Guardians. The start before, he allowed four runs on seven hits to the Houston Astros and couldn’t finish the fifth inning.
Key injuries
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Betting trend to know
The Mariners are 6-2 in their last eight games in Anaheim. Find more MLB betting trends for Mariners vs. Angels
