Red Sox plus $1.50 at Angels
Early indications are Shohei Ohtani is the real thing – both pitching and hitting.
But there’s too much value not to take this price against him.
Boston has the best record in baseball. The Red Sox are 13-1 in their last 14 games. Ohtani has made only two big league starts – both against Oakland. He’s batting .367 with three homers in 33 at bats. He didn’t look good during spring training, though.
The Red Sox aren’t exactly throwing chopped liver against him. Former All-Star David Price will be on the mound for Boston. Price has looked good in two of his three appearances this season being on the comeback trail. His one bad outing was against the Yankees in cold weather. His other two starts were against the Rays where he didn’t allow a run in 14 innings.
The Angels rely on Mike Trout and he’s 3-for-21 lifetime against Price with 10 strikeouts.
Boston ranks second in runs scored and has the third-lowest ERA. I trust the Red Sox bullpen, especially their closer, more than the Angels’ relief pitchers.
Mookie Betts is expected to play, too, after suffering a bruised foot on Saturday.