Odds and Bets: Angels Fight Back in the Freeway Series

Dodgers vs Angles: The Freeway Series Battle

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels began an important two-game series on Tuesday night in Anaheim. Both have found their winning ways in recent weeks, thus enabling them to put up a fight for the lead in their respective divisions. It’s only a duo of contests but a set that will hint as to where they stand in 2023.

Tuesday’s bout went to the Dodgers, 2-0. Clayton Kershaw and Reid Detmers went seven innings without allowing any runs until fortune smiled on the Dodgers in the top of the 8^th when Miguel Rojas scored on a bouncing single by Michael Busch. For the curtain closer, who other than Shohei Ohtani to help the Angels save some honour on the mound? As a pitcher, Ohtani is slightly behind pace from 2022, although he’s by no means having a poor season – 6-2 and an ERA of 3.29.

Best Bet: Angels earn themselves the split on the moneyline

Rapids vs Whitecaps: Vancouver’s Road Woes

A team in need of more consistency visits a team that is simply desperate. Wednesday evening sees the Vancouver Whitecaps travel to Commerce City to play the Rapids. The B.C.-based outfit is in a battle for a Western Conference playoff spot, as is almost everyone in that division. Only eight points separate ninth (Portland Timbers) from first (St. Louis CITY SC). As for Colorado, they’re keeping the basement warm with 13 points.

As mentioned in our game preview, tonight’s match has the potential to change one of two tunes. The Whitecaps have yet to earn the spoils on the road. Conversely, the Rapids haven’t claimed victory home at home this season. Mind you, the match could end in a draw, but surely each side is looking to reverse those nasty trends. Vancouver has a decent offence, having netted 27 times in 2023, led by Brian White’s six goals. While not great, Vancouver is the superior side.

Best Bet: Vancouver Whitecaps win the game

Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces

Unfortunately, Brittney Griner’s return to WNBA action was short-lived. On Wednesday she’ll miss her third consecutive game with a hip injury when her Phoenix Mercury visits the Las Vegas Aces. Not only will her absence be felt because of her quality as a player, but the Mercury are starting to feel the heat at 2-8.

Their opponents are league-best Vegas at 10-1, helped in large part by their perfect home record of 5-0. They are led by guard Jackie Young’s 20.8 points per game. A’ja Wilson is a blocking machine, swatting away 2.2 shots per tilt, good for third in the WNBA (guess who’s first…Brittney Griner). Arizona and Nevada are both pretty hot, but in this specific instance, it’s Phoenix who runs the risk of getting burned. All that being said, the +19.5 spread is slightly insulting. They can still lose big time, just not by that much,

Best Bet: Mercury with the +19.5