MLB Betting – L.A. Angels at Seattle Mariners

Los Angeles Angels (+122) at Seattle Mariners (-132, 7.5 o/u)

The second of three games in the opening series between the Los Angeles Angels (0-1) and the Seattle Mariners (1-0) will have C.J. Wilson (13-10, 4.51 ERA in 2014) facing James Paxton (6-4, 3.04 ERA in 2014) tonight at Safeco Field in Seattle (10:10 PM Eastern).

The first meeting on Monday saw the Mariners come out on top 4-1; Seattle ace Felix Hernandez dominated the Angels lineup, allowing just two hits over seven innings while striking out ten.

“It’s a great challenge,” Hernandez said of pitching on opening day. “You’ve got a lot of eyes on you and you’ve got to do good.”

“It’s always nice to win at home. I’m glad opening day is over. We can get back to a sense of normalcy around here because it is a very hectic day,” said Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon added. “But when you win it’s great.”

The Mariner bats were alive and well, racking up ten hits over eight innings against Angels’ ace Jered Weaver. New addition Seth Smith went 3/3 with two doubles, a triple, and two RBIs in the win.

Mike Trout scored the only run for the Angels on a first-inning homer.

Tonight, the Mariners will go with left-hander pitcher James Paxton; after a promising 2014, there are expectations that Paxton will become a reliable number two option in the rotation behind Hernandez.

Paxton has good numbers against the Angels in his short career. Last season, he went 2-1 against in L.A. in four starts, posting a 2.59 ERA and piling up 25 strikeouts.

The Angels will counter with lefty C.J. Wilson. Wilson had a good regular season last year, but struggled in his only playoff appearance, giving up three earned in less than an inning against the Royals in the ALDS.

Wilson also gave up two homers in just 4.1 innings in his last Cactus League start on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants.

Against the Mariners last year, Wilson went 1-2 in four starts with a 3.42 ERA.

Dating back to last year, Seattle has had the Angels’ number of late, taking the last five games head-to-head.

Paxton’s solid history against the Angels coupled with Wilson’s modest struggles in his most recent outings make Seattle -132 look like the better option.

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