The Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels will face off Friday in the second game of a four-game set to open the 2021 season.
The Angels took yesterday’s game 4-3 thanks to a two-run eighth inning after an error by Chicago’s second baseman Nick Madrigal.
Oddsmakers have the Angels as a slight -115 home favorite with the total opening at 8.5 after closing at 8 yesterday.
Here are our free picks and predictions for Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles Angels for Friday, April 2 (9:38 PM EST).
White Sox vs Angels odds
MLB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonThis moneyline jumped the fence at TwinSpires, opening at Chicago -115 Thursday and sitting at Los Angeles -124 as of 7:45 p.m. ET today. However, the White Sox are landing 74 percent of tickets and 81 percent of money. The total opened at 8.5 (Over -116), and that price is now -120, with ticket count and money both in the 2/1 range on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameWhite Sox vs Angels betting preview
Starting pitchers
Dallas Keuchel (2020: 6-2, 1.99 ERA): Entering his 10th MLB season, Dallas Keuchel is looking to repeat last year’s stellar numbers despite not getting picked by the White Sox until mid-July. Keuchel has seen a lot of the Angels with his time in Houston and the left-hander has dominated the Halos over the course of his career, going 12-2 SU in 17 starts to go along with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.189 WHIP.
Andrew Heaney (2020: 4-3, 4.46 ERA): Heaney is coming off a slightly below-average season that saw him finish with an ERA+ of 105. He did manage to limit his home runs — which were a big problem in 2019 — but owns a career 4.44 ERA over seven seasons. Heaney didn’t reach 100 pitches until his fifth start last season and the lefty has never been a pitcher that gets deep into games.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
White Sox: Adam Engel CF (doubtful), Eloy Jimenez OF (out).
Angels: Luke Bard RP (doubtful), Franklin Barreto SS (out), Felix Pena RP (out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The White Sox are 0-7 SU in their last seven games as an underdog. Find more MLB betting trends for White Sox vs. Angels.
Moneyline pick
A pair of southpaws will toe the rubber on Friday as both clubs will be throwing out their best left-handers for the second game of the season.
The Halos will send Adam Heaney to the mound. The lefty has been hit hard over his career, but managed to keep the ball in the park last year and pitched well at Angel Stadium, holding opposing batters to a .548 OPS compared to a .852 OPS on the road.
We aren’t expecting Heaney to go deep this early in the season, which may not be a bad thing for L.A. backers. The Angels’ bullpen pitched a perfect three innings last night and allowed just one hit and one walk while punching out four.
The White Sox are starting the season without middle-of-the-order hitter Eloy Jimenez (LF) and plus-defender Adam Engel (RF). They still have Gold-Glover Luis Robert in center, but manager Tony La Russa will be busy trying to fill in the holes.
Yesterday, the Sox managed to put just two runners in scoring position and still went 0-2 RISP. This is still a dangerous White Sox lineup, but without Jimenez, it’s much less intimidating.
Offensively, the Angels have one of the prettiest lineups in baseball with David Fletcher leading off, followed by Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. This part of the order will get it done, and even if they set the table for the bottom of the order, guys like Justin Upton, Jose Iglesias and Max Stassi are capable of cashing in runs.
The White Sox are the favorite to win the AL Central (-120) this season, but with the Chicago outfield under construction and facing what is arguably the best lineup in the AL West, we’re taking the Halos on Friday.
PREDICTION: Los Angeles ML (-115)
Over/Under pick
Kuechel’s career numbers versus the Halos are impressive, but the lefty hasn’t seen this lineup since 2018 and the Angels crushed left-handed pitching last year. L.A. led the AL in HRs against LHP and scored a run every eight plate appearances. Keuchel likes to keep the ball on the ground, but his numbers were too good last year (an MVP vote — no really) and regression to his career marks this season is more likely than a repeat of last year’s numbers.
The White Sox were also one of the best teams in baseball last year against left-handed pitching, finishing the year with a .877 OPS vs LHP. The Sox could have a chance to put up a few runs before they see the bullpen, as Heaney has been known to get hit hard on occasion.
Chicago sophomore Robert led all rookies in RBI and stolen bases and tied for the lead in home runs last season. His combination of speed and power is rare in baseball and he can create runs at the plate on the bases. He single-handedly manufactured the Sox’s first run yesterday.
The Sox will also have a bit more pop in the lineup with rookie Andrew Vaughn expected to make the start in the outfield. Vaughn is a former No. 3 pick who posted a .853 OPS this spring and is making the transition to the left-field after getting drafted as a first baseman. The power and lack of defense is a double win for the Over.
Chicago also has the reigning AL MVP hitting third and, although not as potent as the Angels’ one-through-nine, Chicago has some thump in the lineup even without Jimenez.
We’re big fans of this Angels team this year and think their bats can do a lot of damage in 2021. We’re hanging our hats on the Over 8.5 on Good Friday in a game that we think both clubs can hang four or more runs.
PREDICTION: Over 8.5 (-110)
White Sox vs Angels betting card
- Los Angeles ML (-115)
- Over 8.5 (-110)
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