The Los Angeles Angels have notched a 5-1 record in their last six
exhibitions, outscoring their Cactus League foes by a combined margin of
28-21. Mike Scioscia’s squad dons its road
jerseys for Tuesday afternoon’s matchup in Scottsdale.
Sportsbooks opened the Giants as 135 favorites, with the MLB odds
staying unchanged after mixed early MLB betting action. San Francisco is slated to send right-hander
Tim Lincecum (4.50 ERA, 14 IP) to the hill, while Los Angeles expects to
counter with southpaw Brad Mills (0.00 ERA, 8 2/3 IP).
Lincecum goes six frames
San Francisco last had Lincecum start on March 17, notching a 7-2
victory against the Oakland Athletics.
The four-time All-Star gave up one run in a spring-high six innings,
tossing four strikeouts en route to recording a second straight win.
Giants relievers Brian Wilson and Scott Munter combined to allow
one hit in the duel’s seventh frame, with Munter picking up a hold. The duo was followed by Javier Lopez and
Santiago Casilla, who threw one inning each of shutout ball.
San Francisco’s Ryan Theriot and Pablo Sandoval both cracked
homers, uniting for four RBIs. Giants
leadoff man Angel Pagan finished 2-for-4, driving in one run.
Mills left without win
The Los Angeles Angels blew an early lead in Mills’ second straight start on
March 16, with the Angels logging an 8-7 defeat against the San Diego
Padres. Mills allowed one hit in a
scoreless 3 2/3 innings, while recording one walk.
Los Angeles’ relief crew spoiled Mills’ promising outing, with
Eric Hurley and Matt Meyer lit up for a combined eight runs on seven hits. Both hurlers gave up two walks, while Meyer
logged a blown save along with his squad’s loss.
Angels mates Alberto Callaspo and Hank Conger logged 3-for-4
outings, while mate Kole Calhoun poked a double as part of his 3-for-5 day.
Back the Angels as live
dogs
Tuesday’s first pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. (ET), with ESPN2
providing the national television coverage.
Both squads resume action Wednesday, with San Francisco remaining in
Scottsdale against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Angels squaring off with the
Cincinnati Reds in Goodyear.
I am backing the Angels in this spot, taking a road dog price of
plus 115 in my MLB picks for today. Scioscia’s lineup should have
its chances to hang some runs on Lincecum, while Mills could go deeper here
with another solid start.
Angels slugger Albert Pujols is 5-for-17 lifetime against
Lincecum, including two doubles. The
nine-time All-Star comes off a 0-for-3 day against the Colorado Rockies,
drawing a nice spot here to bounce back.
Pujols’ mate Chris Ianetta enters Tuesday’s scrimmage with a
three-game hitting streak, while bringing a lifetime mark of 6-for-15 against
Lincecum. The veteran catcher faced “The
Freak” in five years of NL West battles while with Colorado, drawing a sizable
eight walks in that span.
Los Angeles’ bullpen has settled down in recent outings, with
Angels relievers giving up seven runs in their last 24 2/3 IP. Look for Mills and his mates to put together
a stingy day on the mound, while Pujols and Co. ring up their share of bases
for a cashed ticket at plus odds.