Ala Hann Sport picks

MLB Betting – Seattle Mariners @ Los Angeles Angels

Felix Hernandez (7-5) vs. Jered Weaver (8-5)

Hernandez vs. Angels Hitting

Those into online betting and fantasy leagues know that because of the Cliff Lee trade, Felix Hernandez is now the only passable star in the Mariners pitching staff. Whether or not he falters under the pressure of that responsibility is one of the only storylines Seattle faces in the second half of yet another disappointing season. Hernandez’s numbers (7-5, 2.88 ERA) are impressive for someone who pitches on a team with virtually no support on either side of the ball. He entered the All-Star break on a hell of roll; 4-0 in his last six starts, including three straight complete games. He also did not allow more than two runs in any of those outings.

Hernandez has twice face Los Angeles in 2010, with mixed results. In his first start he was rocked to the tune of seven runs allowed in just 3 1/3 innings. However he settled in his second start, allowing just one run over eight innings, striking out seven. The Angels offense has been solid, but not great. Torii Hunter leads the team in most offensive categories (average, home runs and RBI’s), and guys like Bobby Abreu, Howie Kendrick and Mike Napoli can cause fits. Hernandez has played amazingly and terribly against this offense, no way of knowing which will show up in this game.

Weaver vs. Mariners Hitting

Jered Weaver was tapped as the de facto ace of the Angels when John Lackey left in the offseason, and he’s done a pretty good job in his new role. He’s 8-5 with a 3.20 ERA and leads the majors with 137 strikeouts. However he stumbled going into the All-Star break, losing his last two starts and allowing a total of nine runs and 14 hits in just 12 innings of work. He needs to be much better for the Angels to catch Texas in the AL West.

Weaver has pitched against Seattle twice this year, and those into MLB betting know he was brilliant in both outings. In two starts Weaver is 2-0 with zero runs allowed and 13 strikeouts. Thanks to the ineptitude of the Mariners offense it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Weaver pitches another great game. Ichiro Suzuki is the only regular hitting over .260, and the oft-psychotic Milton Bradley leads the team with just eight home runs. Outside of Suzuki, there just aren’t any real threats in the Mariners lineup.

Bullpen Comparison

A shaky bullpen is one of the reasons the Angels may miss the postseason for the first time in what seems like forever. No regular reliever has an ERA under 3.50, and closer Brian Fuentes has blown 20% of his save opportunities to go with his 4.26 ERA. The usually reliable Scot Shields has an abhorrent 4.85 ERA.

Like Anaheim, Seattle’s poor bullpen is one of the reasons the team has been struggling (although in Seattle’s case there are much more reasons as well). Closer David Aardsma has a 5.40 ERA, the worst among regular closers in the AL. However the worst of the bunch is Sean White. The righthander has a 6.86 ERA, worst among team relievers, and a 2.10 WHIP (!), an absolutely excusable number.

Outlook

Right now Hernandez is the only saving grace on the Mariners, and I’m guessing that pressure will eventually get to him. He’s still a brilliant pitcher, but I wouldn’t count on him repeating his numbers from last season. Weaver, on the other hand, has great success against Seattle this year and great success at home as well. I’m betting that success continues.

Pick: Los Angeles Angels

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