Angels vs. Rangers (April 14): Play the Over in This AL West Matchup

While Shohei Ohtani the pitcher had a solid start to the 2022 MLB season, Shohei Ohtani the hitter has yet to get going. The Angels will need both Ohtanis to be on point tonight as they visit the Rangers in the opener of their four-game series in Arlington.

Shohei Yet to Show Up at the Plate in Subpar Start to 2022

Ohtani, last season’s AL MVP, entered this season as the 2022 AL MVP favorite and one of the favorites for the 2022 AL Cy Young Award, took the loss on Opening Day against the Astros. But he had a solid outing, striking out nine and allowing only four hits, one walk, and one run in 4.2 innings against Houston and its potent lineup.

Ohtani the hitter, meanwhile, went hitless on Opening Day and has not fared much better since.

In six games, he has only four hits in 25 at-bats, a .160 average. He has one double, no homers, no RBI, no walks, and only two runs scored, and he has struck out eight times.

The Angels certainly need Ohtani to have another strong season to have a chance to make the MLB playoffs for the first time since 2014. And as talented of a hitter as he is, it is only a matter of time before he sends one into the stands, and that may open the floodgates.

Will tonight be the night that Ohtani the hitter gets going? Ohtani the pitcher could certainly use the run support.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers April 14 MLB Betting Odds, Starting Pitchers, and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Game Matchup: Los Angeles Angels (3-3, tied for 2nd in the AL West) vs. Texas Rangers (1-4, 5th in the AL West)
• Venue & Location: Globe Life Field (Arlington, Texas)
• Date: Thursday, April 14, 2022
• Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Angels vs. Rangers Tonight: Fox Sports West (Angels), Bally Sports Southwest (Rangers), MLB Network (national – select areas), MLB Extra Innings (subscription package)

Angels vs. Rangers Pitching Matchup

• Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani (2022: 0-1, 1.93 ERA)
• Texas Rangers: Dane Dunning (2022: 0-0, 5.40 ERA)

Angels vs. Rangers Betting Odds

BetOnline Sportsbook

• Moneyline: Los Angeles Angels -148, Texas Rangers +126
• Total: OVER 8.5 (-112), UNDER 8.5 (-108)
• Run Line: Los Angeles Angels -1.5 (+115), Texas Rangers +1.5 (-138)

Bovada Sportsbook

• Moneyline: Los Angeles Angels -150, Texas Rangers +130
• Total: OVER 8.5 (-115), UNDER 8.5 (-105)
• Run Line: Los Angeles Angels -1.5 (+110), Texas Rangers +1.5 (-130)

BetUS

• Moneyline: Los Angeles Angels -150, Texas Rangers +125
• Total: OVER 8.5 (-120), UNDER 8.5 (-103)
• Run Line: Los Angeles Angels -1.5 (+105), Texas Rangers +1.5 (-130)

Do Career Splits Indicate a Potential Breakout at the Plate for Ohtani Tonight?

In Ohtani’s first two seasons in the majors, the Rangers played at their old stadium, and he had some very fruitful trips there. In 14 games, he had 19 hits in 44 at-bats (.432 average), four doubles, four homers, 11 RBI, and 11 runs scored. In those 14 games, he struck out just eight times.

For whatever reason, that success has not carried over to Globe Life Field. In his 15 games there, he has only 13 hits in 58 at-bats (.224 average), no homers, three RBI, and eight runs scored, and he has struck out 21 times. He does have five doubles and a triple in those 13 hits, but that is the only positive.

But while Ohtani has struggled at the Rangers’ new park, there are a lot of positives in his career splits that indicate that tonight or this series could be a turning point for him.

Career Hitting Splits for Shohei Ohtani

• Ohtani is a much better hitter against right-handed pitchers (.269) than left-handed pitchers (.242).
• Ohtani averages one home run every 16.49 plate appearances against right-handed pitchers, while he averages a homer every 21.58 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers.
• He has a better batting average on the road (.268) than at home (.254).
• While he hits homers with more frequency at home (one every 15.79 plate appearances) than on the road (one every 20.87 plate appearances), he tallies extra-base hits with more frequency on the road (one every 8.87 plate appearances) than at home (one every 9.21 plate appearances).

Ohtani is only 1 for 8 (a double) against Dunning, but Dunning is a ground-ball pitcher, and Ohtani’s best numbers have come against ground-ball pitchers.

In his career, he is hitting .276 against ground-ball pitchers and averages a homer every 16.87 plate appearances. Against everyone else, he is hitting .256 and averaging a homer every 18.4 plate appearances.

Angels vs. Rangers Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Angels to win

Best Bet: OVER 8.5 (-112 at BetOnline Sportsbook)

Though Ohtani, Mike Trout (.200 with one homer in five games), and Anthony Rendon (.118 with one homer in five games) have all struggled to fire thus far, the Angels head into this series on the right foot.

After dropping their first two games of the season to the Astros, they have won three of four and swept a midweek two-game series against the Miami Marlins.

Ohtani the pitcher is 3-0 with a 2.86 ERA in four career starts against the Rangers, with wins in both of his starts at Globe Life Field. Look for Ohtani the pitcher to remain perfect there and for Ohtani the hitter to have his best game of the new season tonight to help take the Angels to above .500 for the first time in 2022.