Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview (July 5): All-Stars and Mega Star on Display in L.A.

On this short Monday MLB betting slate, the pickings were pretty slim for the Game of the Day in the American League. We have just two series starting amongst teams with records over .500 so far, but nobody has ever gotten excited about a game between the Indians and the Rays, ever.

That made Boston vs. L.A., featuring hitting and pitching All-Star Shohei Ohtani the Game of the Day. The Angels have got themselves back over .500 for the season while Boston is leading the AL East.

Boston just took two of three against Oakland and is one of the hottest teams in baseball, going 9-1 in their last 10. If this team can pitch there is no reason they can’t contend and you have to think that at some point Boston makes a move to reinforce the team.

The Angels have been more of a roller coaster ride. They are 6-1 in their last seven after a sweep of the Orioles over the weekend. The question is whether the ultimate return of OF Mike Trout is enough to get them into the playoffs in a very competitive AL West.

Boston Red Sox (53-32) vs Los Angeles Angels (42-41), ESPN, 9:40 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Boston Red Sox: Martin Perez (6-4, 4.04 ERA)
• Los Angeles Angels: Jose Suarez (3-1, 1.98 ERA)

Red Sox vs Angels Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Red Sox -110, Angels -110
• Total: OVER 10 (-116), UNDER 10 (-104)
• Run Line: Red Sox +1.5 (-201), Angels -1.5 (+167)

Odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Monday, July 5 at 10:53 am ET. For MLB betting odds for today’s other matchups, check out our MLB odds.

Red Sox vs Angels Betting Consensus

• Moneyline: Red Sox 60%, Angels 40%
• Total: Over 40%, Under 60%
• Run Line: Red Sox 40%, Angels 60%

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels July 5 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Red Sox Still A Surprise in the AL East

The Red Sox were not supposed to be good this season. In fact, most pundits and MLB betting odds had them pegged as a fourth-place team. Not only are they hot right now, but ever since they got swept by Baltimore in the first series of the season they have barely cooled down. Since that time they have lost only six series. Oddly, they have struggled against the AL West, putting up just a 10-14 mark against the division.

Boston is one of the top hitting teams in the league – third in runs, batting average, and OPS. Married with a mediocre pitching staff, that has been enough to keep them at the top of the division. If they can just find someone to lead that rotation they might even be a threat in the playoffs.

Ohtani is Powering L.A. to Relevance

To say that Shohei Ohtani is powering L.A.'s recent play might be an understatement. Ohtani is leading the Majors in homers with 31. Since June 15 he has 14 homers in his last 17 games, and we probably would have been hearing even more about him had the Nationals’ Kyle Schwarber not been on his own homer binge in June too. All of this without OF Mike Trout in the lineup and with veterans like OF Justin Upton and 3B Anthony Rendon struggling with consistency and to stay in the lineup.

For the Angels to compete with Oakland and Houston they need the pitching to stabilize. Due to Ohtani’s unique skill set, they have been using a six-man rotation. I think it is fair to say they do not really have the organizational depth for that. They are 25th in the Majors in quality starts and 26th in ERA at 5.01. Can they make a move to shore up the rotation that might put them over the top?

Martin Perez Home vs. Road

• Home: 3-3, 5.66 ERA, 41.2 IP, 35 Ks, 18 BBs
• Road: 3-1, 2.10 ERA, 34.1, 27 Ks, 8 BBs

Jose Suarez Home vs. Road

• Home: 0-0, 2.45 ERA, 7.1 IP, 10 Ks, 2 BBs
• Road: 3-1, 1.80 ERA, 20 IP, 16 Ks, 7 BBs

Suarez has good numbers but has not started a game this season. His last outing was his longest of the year with 5.2 innings against the Yankees. Perez is a guy I always look to fade but the numbers don’t lie, he has been much better on the road this season. When you have the stuff he does being a lefty at Fenway Park is not an ideal situation.

Red Sox vs. Angels Best Bet: Boston ML – It hurts my head, but I am leaning to Boston here. Perez is usually a fade candidate for me, but outside of Boston the numbers are much better and maybe a crafty lefty helps cool down Ohtani. Even if both of those assumptions are off the Red Sox are in good form and have that strong lineup, so they can win a high-scoring game too.

July 5 MLB Betting Matchups – American League

MLB Betting Matchup: Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays, Bally Sports Sun, 7:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Cleveland Indians: Logan Allen (1-5, 8.38 ERA)
• Tampa Bay Rays: Rich Hill (6-3, 3.70 ERA)

Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays July 5 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins, ESPN, 7:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Chicago White Sox: Dylan Cease (7-3, 3.75 ERA)
• Minnesota Twins: Bailey Ober (0-1, 5.84 ERA)

Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins July 5 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers, Bally Sports Southwest, 8:05 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Detroit Tigers: Wily Peralta (1-1, 3.21 ERA)
• Texas Rangers: Kolby Allard (2-4, 3.46 ERA)

Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers July 5 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Cincinnati Reds vs. Kansas City Royals, Bally Sports Kansas City, 8:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Cincinnati Reds: Vladimir Gutierrez (3-3, 4.93 ERA)
• Kansas City Royals: Mike Minor (6-6, 5.33 ERA)

Cincinnati Reds vs. Kansas City Royals July 5 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More