By Stephen Nover
Orioles plus $1.81 at Angels
The Orioles have been better on the road than at home, which isn’t saying much I know. So this play almost is entirely a fade on the Angels and their rookie starting pitcher Jose Suarez.
The Angels are in a massive letdown spot taking on a Baltimore team that has the most losses in the majors. The Angels just swept the Dodgers in their Freeway Series for the first time in franchise history.
Beating the heavily favored Dodgers twice in two days is heady stuff. It’s going to be easy for the Angels to overlook the pathetic Orioles. They might be able to get away with it with how hot Mike Trout is. But at this plus price and situation, I’ll throw a peanut on the Orioles.
The 21-year-old Suarez is back up from the minors where he was sent after he gave up three runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings against Seattle 11 days ago. He has a 5.51 ERA in seven starts. Suarez probably isn’t ready to be pitching in the majors yet. However, the Angels’ starting rotation is in dire condition due to the tragic death of Tyler Skaggs, release of Matt Harvey, injury to Andrew Heaney and JC Ramirez trying to recover from Tommy John surgery.
This is a game where you may want to stipulate action instead of listed pitchers because the Orioles could be starting either Jimmy Yacabonis or Tom Eshelman. Yacabonis isn’t very good. (Hey there are reasons why the Orioles are such high-priced ‘dogs.) Eshelman, though, is going to pitch and he could prove to be surprising effective.
Eshelman won’t lack motivation growing up close to Angels Stadium and attending Cal State-Fullerton. Eshelman has a 3.60 road ERA compared to a 8.68 home ERA at hitter-friendly Camden Yards.
I have two other MLB side plays going today that I’ve put together as a 2-for-1 parlay. My top play today is my CFL Game of the Month. If you are interested in my sports service please email me at scriber26@gmail.com, or message me via Twitter.
