Yankees vs. Angels Prediction, Odds and Props for Aug. 31: NY Tops Reeling Halos in Opener

In the opener of an AL series on the left coast, the reeling Los Angeles Angels play host to the New York Yankees. Let’s get into this Yankees vs. Angels prediction with the latest odds, game info, starting pitching matchup, and some solid value player prop bets.

The Yankees (78-59) have won two in a row and three of their last four games. They have the second-best record in the AL and sit in second place in the AL East, 4.5 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays, and they own the top Wild Card.

The Angels (52-85) limp into this series with a seven-game losing streak. They have been out of the playoff picture for a long time and are tied with the Colorado Rockies for the fewest wins in baseball.

Caesars Sportsbook has the Yankees as the favorites in the series opener at -135 with the Angels at +125 and a total of 8.5 runs.

Yankees’ Lineup Blows Up 

The Yankees have won two in a row, totaling 25 runs, and in their last game, laid a 16-1 beatdown on the Boston Red Sox. In the game, Austin Wells had two home runs and six RBIs, and Paul Goldschmidt, Heliot Ramos, and Jose Caballero all went deep and had three RBIs.

New York leads the Majors in team ERA, ranks tied for 16th in runs scored, and has the second-most home runs.

Ben Rice (.254, 35 home runs, 86 RBIs) leads the team in home runs, and while only batting .191 this month, he has six hits in the last four games to go with three RBIs. Luis Garcia Jr. (.287, 28 home runs, 88 RBIs) has had a good first month with the Yankees after a trade from the Washington Nationals, and he has three home runs and eight RBIs over the last eight games.

The Yankees hosted the Angels in a four-game series in the first half, and each team won two games.

New York Starter for Series Opener 

Elmer Rodriguez (0-2, 4.70 ERA, 1.52 WHIP) gets the nod for the Yankees, and his last was his first in over two months being recalled from the minors. New York is 3-2 in his five starts, and he has given up three runs in three of his last four outings, including the last two. This season, Rodriguez has logged 23 innings, striking out 16 and walking 13.

Woes at the Dish for the Halos 

The Angels rank only 26th in runs scored, and in their seven-game skid, they are averaging just 3.3 runs per game.

Mike Trout (.239, 20 home runs, 48 RBIs) had the lone RBI in the 5-2 Angels’ loss in the last game, and this month is only batting .232 with two home runs and seven RBIs.

Zach Neto (.236, 23 home runs, 65 RBIs) is the clubhouse leader in home runs and RBIs and has two home runs and four RBIs over the last seven games. Nolan Schanuel (.276, 7 home runs, 49 RBIs) leads the team in batting average and is out on the 10-day IL.

None of the players who rank in the top three in at-bats for L.A. are batting over .240.

Los Angeles Starter for Series Opener 

Walbert Urena (8-9, 2.94 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) goes for the Halos, who have lost three of his last four starts, where he gave up at least three runs in each. This is his first start of the season facing the Yankees, and while he has a solid ERA for the season, he has an ERA of 3.91 in five starts this month. This season, he has struck out 112 batters and walked 64 in 116 1/3 innings.

Yankees vs. Angels Prediction 

The Yankees have won two in a row and three of their last four games, while the Angels are mired in a seven-game losing streak. New York has totaled 25 runs in their last two games, while L.A. has only averaged 3.3 runs per game in its seven-game skid.

Both starters will be decent, but the Yankees have the better lineup and bullpen, leading the Majors in bullpen ERA, and they will take the opener of this AL series, sending the reeling Angels to their eighth straight loss.

Best Bet: Yankees Moneyline – Caesars, -140

Yankees vs. Angels Player Prop Bets 

Here are some gem player prop bets with good value at Caesars Sportsbook:

• Elmer Rodriguez Over 4.5 strikeouts: Caesars, +124 – While Rodriguez has struck out more than five batters in only one of five starts this season, it was in his last one, and he faces an Angels team that has the third-most Ks.
• Walbert Urena Over 2.5 earned runs: Caesars, +102 – Urena has given up at least three earned runs in three of his last four starts and faces a New York lineup that has totaled 25 runs in their last two games.
• Ben Rice Over 1.5 bases: Caesars, +118 – While batting under .200 this month, Rice has heated up as of late with two hits in three of the last four games.