Los Angeles Looking Absolutely Angelic Heading into Postseason

The Los Angeles Angles (99-60, 81-77 RL, 65-85-8 O/U), may not be getting much of the national MLB attention taking place these days with all of the thrilling divisional and wild card races taking place in both leagues, but they sure don’t seem to mind much as they just keep on winning.

The Angels, winners of two straight in the BetUS Texas Rangers (77-82, 78-79 RL, 80-71-6 O/U) in their final series of the regular season beginning tonight.

The Angels will turn to staff ace John Lackey (12-4, 3.25 ERA), to lead them to a franchise-record 100th win of the regular season while simultaneously securing home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

"That's what we been fighting for, getting 100 wins," Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said. "For this organization, it's going to mean a lot. ... We still have a lot of things to fight for, 100 games, home-field advantage. We have stuff to push for."

Lackey is coming off a commanding performance in his last start limiting the Rangers to just two hits while striking out a career-high 12 in six shutout innings as the Angels cruised to a 7-3 win on Sunday.

The Rangers will counter with right-hander Vicente Padilla (13-8, 4.85), who struggled in his last start, allowing five runs on seven hits in six innings in the Rangers’ 7-3 loss to the Angels on Saturday.

Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero bashed two home runs on Thursday and is batting a career .386 (17-for-44) with three homers against Padilla.

Here is a look at tonight’s key MLB online betting Free Picks:

The Rangers are 9-2 in Padilla’s last eleven starts vs. American League West.

The Rangers are 4-1 in Padilla’s last five starts during game one of a series.

The Angels are 4-0 in Lackey’s last four Friday starts.

The Angels are 10-4 in Lackey’s last 14 home starts.

The Over is 9-2-2 in Padilla’s last 13 starts with five days of rest.

The Under is 4-1 in Lackey’s last five starts vs. a team with a losing record.

The Over is 4-0 in Padilla’s last four road starts vs. Angels.

The Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings.

Texas Rangers +1½ -145

Vicente Padilla –R +145

Los Angeles Angels -1½ +125

John Lackey –R -165

Over 8½ -105

Under 8 ½ -115

Analysis: I fully expect this rematch of Saturday’s two starting pitchers to turn out the same way as it did last week when Lackey and the Angels beat Padilla and Texas 7-3. Simply put, take the Angels and Lackey to repeat their success of a week ago.

MLB Free Picks: Angels 8 Rangers 3