Royals, Angels Each Playing Better
The last few weeks haven’t been easy for the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels. However, both teams are in the midst of solid recent stretches. Thus this should be interesting three-game series in Anaheim.
Check out the latest MLB picks, stats, injury reports, and MLB odds for the Royals vs. Angels. There are plenty of MLB predictions as well.
Royals’ Pitching Renaissance
There’s no doubt the Kansas City Royals have fallen well short of their preseason MLB odds, with just a 23-42 record. That’s last place in the American League Central Division. However, Kansas City can take solace in winning three of its last four contests, while surrendering two or fewer runs in each victory.
While the Royals have improved from a wretched 3-14 stretch a while ago, their overall stats reflect their place in the standings. Kansas City has the fourth-fewest runs in baseball and the fourth-worst OPS. Even though the pitching hasn’t allowed more than four runs in its last five, there’s a 4.97 WRA and 1.48 WHIP sitting as the second- and third-worst numbers.
Kris Bubic, arguably the worst starter in the Royals’ rotation, has the assignment Monday night. The 24-year-old lefty is 0-4, a dismal 8.36 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 28 innings. He did go a season-high 5.1 innings in his last start.
Angels Lifting Their Spirits
By now, every person making MLB picks knows how the Los Angeles Angels’ 2022 season has gone. The Angels went from a first-place team in the AL West to a non-playoff team after losing 14 games in a row. While LA’s record is just 33-36, it did receive a boost by winning four of five games in an elongated series at Seattle
The Angels’ once-league-leading offense has fallen noticeably. LA sits 14th in runs and 20th in batting average, the latter figure is tied with Monday’s guests. Halo pitchers have back-to-back shutouts, having surrendered four or fewer runs in seven of their last eight. As a result, the team’s 3.78 ERA and 1.20 WHIP are 10th and eighth, respectively.
Righthander Noah Syndergaard will be the tasked with continuing the Angels’ solid work on the mound.. Thor has had a decent first season on the West Coast, going 4-5 with a 3.53 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, just two quality starts in his last six.
Royals vs Angels Head-to-Head
Monday marks the first game of the season between the Kansas City Royals and the Los Angeles Angels. However, recent history has that the Angels with an edge.
LA has won each of the last three season series and four of the last five against Kansas City. In those four winning season series, LA had a 19-6 record against Kansas City. However, the Royals went 6-1 against the Halos in 2017.
Royals vs Angels Game Information
- Game: Royals (23-42) vs Angels (33-36)
- Location: Angel Stadium, anaheim, CA
- Day/Time: Monday, June 20, 9:38 p.m. ET
- Royals vs Angels Live Stream: MLB.tv
Royals vs Angels Betting Lines
| Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| Kansas City Royals K. Bubic -L |
+1½ -130 | +165 | 9-105o | 3½-110o / 3½-120u |
| Los Angeles Angels N. Syndergaard -R |
-1½ +110 | -185 | 9-115u | 4½-140o / 4½+110u |
Royals vs Angels Prediction
With a better record, better pitcher and home-field advantage, it’s no surprise the MLB lines favor the Los Angeles Angels. Syndergaard and the Halos are -185 favorites, while the Kansas City Royals are +165 underdogs.
Something else to bet online might be the over/under. Although Bubic’s presence on the mound may mean more runs, the under (9 runs) is actually favored at -115.
The Angels are the better team here, especially with the way Mike Trout is crushing the ball. Rather than betting them on the moneyline, consider taking them at plus-money to cover the -1½ spread. A 4-2 Angels’ victory would make that bet a winner.
Head to the sportsbook and bank on the Angels to extend their winning streak by beating the last-place Royals.
