Sunday Night ESPN Baseball Dodgers @ Angels Odds, Lines, Free Picks and Predictions – Free MLB Picks 7-3-11

Sunday Night ESPN Baseball Free MLB Picks, Tips and Odds: LA Dodgers @ LA Angels Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Expert Predictions 7/3/11: Both the Dodgers and the Angels call Los Angeles home these days, and the two clubs will meet Sunday night on ESPN in the rubber match of this three-game interleague series. The Dodgers took the series opener Friday in shutout fashion behind a strong pitching performance from Hiroki Kuroda and aggressive base running. The Angels evened things up Saturday thanks to an equally impressive performance from starter Jared Weaver and a big home run from Vernon Wells. With the series tied at 1-1, bragging rights in Los Angeles are up for grabs Sunday night.

In a series that has been highlighted by pitching on both sides, it is somewhat fitting that Sunday’s contest pits two underachiever arms against one another. The Angels will send Ervin Santana (3-8) to the mound to face Chad Billingsley (7-6). A year after winning 17 games, Santana could end up losing 17 or more in 2011. As for Billingsley, he has seen his ERA rise by more than half a run from a season ago, and opponents are batting more than 30 points better in 2011.

The Angels are the hotter of the two teams in this matchup, having won seven of their last 10 games to climb to second in the AL West. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have fallen to dead last in the NL West thanks to a 4-6 stretch. The Dodgers do boast the best player on the field in outfielder Matt Kemp, who is in the conversation for NL MVP honors with a shot at the Triple Crown. However, both teams possess nearly identical offenses in terms of production, with the Dodgers scoring just two runs more than the Angels thus far.

Tonight’s game will likely be decided by which struggling pitcher can deliver the best performance. Despite the 3-8 record, Santana could have an edge. He has been pitching much better of late, giving up four runs or less in five straight starts and two runs or less in three of those outings. Unfortunately for Santana, he has three losses and two no decisions to show for his efforts thanks to a lack of run support. That being said, the chances of him delivering a quality start are pretty reasonable based on his recent numbers.

Meanwhile, Billingsley has been a mess of late. His ERA has ballooned from 3.36 on May 14 to 4.22 entering Sunday’s game. In two of his last four starts, he has failed to make it out of the fifth inning, giving up a combined 22 hits and 13 runs. For a pitcher that has thrived on striking out opposing hitters, Billingsley has finished with four or K’s in four of his last five outings. Clearly, something is going on either mentally or physically with the Dodgers’ righty these days.

An X-factor is in tonight’s game and for the Angels chances the rest of the year is the play of Wells. He is one of the highest paid outfielders in baseball, but for the greater part of the season, he was hitting below the Mendoza line. Wells’ overall numbers are still well off his typical pace, but it is no coincidence that the Angels have started to play at a much higher level since his bat began heating up. He has three home runs in his last five games and 13 RBIs in his last 14 games, and the Angels are flat out better when he is anchoring the middle of the lineup.

Santana probably won’t dominant, but he will pitch deep into the game and keep the Dodgers hitters in check enough to give his team a chance to win. With Billingsley having all kinds of issues on the mound, the Angels should have several opportunities to cash in with a few big innings. Wells and company should be able to capitalize and help the Angels cap the series with a win.

Free Sunday Night ESPB Baseball Tips and Prediction: Los Angeles Angels (-1 ½) Cover the Spread 

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