After falling back to .500, the Los Angeles Angels have ripped off four straight wins to get to 34-30 as they welcome the Seattle Mariners to town for three games. Seattle comes in at 30-31 after losing four of their last five games. The AL West is one of the best divisions in baseball and the race between the teams in the middle is heating up. This series could go a long way to determine if the West can get multiple teams into the postseason.
Not only is the division battle heating up, but Game 1 might be one of the hottest pitching matchups that the American League can offer. Luis Castillo will take the mound opposite Shohei Ohtani tonight. Castillo is 4-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 12 starts for Seattle and has had three straight stellar outings. Ohtani hasn't been as great lately, but still comes in with a 3.30 ERA and a record of 5-2 in his 12 starts this year.
It looks like we could get a pitcher's duel out west and the odds reflect that. Here is a look at the odds for Game 1.
Mariners vs. Angels odds, run line and total
Mariners vs. Angels prediction and pick
In his last three starts, Castillo has allowed just one run in 19.0 innings with only 10 hits and five walks to 24 strikeouts. He has been about as good as it gets lately and he'll need to continue to be this good to support the Mariners struggling offense. Over the past week, Seattle has not only lost four of five games, but their 16 runs scored are 24th in baseball and they have a .585 OPS.
That will make Shohei Ohtani's life a little bit easier on the mound, though he'll have a hard time at the plate against one of the AL's best pitchers. Ohtani could use the help because he allowed five runs on nine hits in six innings last time out and his 3.30 ERA is the highest it's been all season long.
Offensively the Angels have been strong and over the past week, Ohtani himself has a 1.095 ERA with five extra base hits in 24 at-bats, but I don't think I can trust them to have success against Castillo. For his career, Castillo has a 1.93 ERA against LA in three starts. I'll just back both pitchers and even with a low total and juice on the under at most books, I'll take it for Game 1.
Follow all Josh Yourish's bets HERE
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change