Angels vs Red Sox: Shohei Ohtani Has Been as Close to Unhittable This Season

• Red Sox looking for a four-game sweep of the Angels
• Brayan Bello will make his first start of the season for Boston
• Shohei Ohtani is 2-0 on the mound with a 0.47 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP

The Boston Red Sox were swept by the Rays in a four-game series last week, but they’ve responded with a vengeance. Boston has taken down the Angels in three straight games and will look for a sweep on Marathon Monday. However, it will not be easy as Boston must go through the best player in baseball, Shohei Ohtani. The Red Sox are short underdogs in this position, but they have momentum on their side. Let’s get into the betting breakdown for Monday’s early matchup. 

Angels vs Red Sox Odds

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Angels vs Red Sox Pick

Shohei Ohtani has been as close to unhittable this season for the Angels. Los Angeles isn’t that good of a team outside of Ohtani and Mike Trout, but they still have some playmakers in the lineup. If Ohtani limits the Red Sox’s runs, Los Angeles should cruise to a victory in this position. Although, we’re not too confident in the Angels because they haven’t been hitting the ball throughout the series. 

In Ohtrani’s first start of the season against the Athletics, he struck out ten and didn’t allow a run. Yet, he still picked up a no-decision for the game because the Angels didn’t hit the baseball. This is the outcome we’re expecting on Marathon Monday. Boston is playing great baseball, and we should be them accordingly.

The run line is a viable betting option for Boston at +1.5 (-115). The Red Sox have come up with big hits throughout the series, and they can be within one run on Monday if this continues.

• Red Sox +1.5 (-115)

Angels vs Red Sox Predictions 

The Red Sox’s success on Monday will be predicted by their ability to hit Ohtani. Ohtani has been fantastic this season, and batters haven’t had a lot of success. Boston is gritty at the plate, and they go down fighting. The offense must work at-bats and get Ohtani’s pitch count through the roof because the team has been successful against the Angels bullpen. 

The other key to victory for Boston will be the young arm of Brayan Bello. Bello hasn’t pitched this season, as he started the year on the injured list. He made his last rehab start at the beginning of the week and will not step into an easy position against the Angels. Bello is a great locator and will get outs if he keeps the ball down in the zone. 

Yet, last season wasn’t a great showing from the 23-year-old. He went 2-8 with a 4.71 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. The best part about Bello is his strikeout ability which was still clear throughout 57.1 innings of work in 2022. 

The Angels make sense to bet because of Ohtani’s arm, but Los Angeles hasn’t done enough to trust them throughout the past three games. Boston has come up with the big hit consistently, while Los Angeles hasn’t, and this should continue again on Monday. 

Los Angeles Angels Preview

The Angels are 7-8, but currently second in the AL West because of a slow start from the Houston Astros. The Angels have high expectations every season, but they’ve failed to deliver in high-leverage positions this season. The Angels lineup is led by Ohtani and Trout, who have done their job with six combined homers. 

However, they haven’t been the only leaders of the offense. Gio Urshela came to the Angels from the Yankees and he been Los Angeles’ best player in 2023. He is slashing .346/.370/.442 with nine runs and eight RBI in 2023. The other player who has been solid is Hunter Renfroe. 

Renfroe doesn’t hit for average like some of the other players. Nevertheless, he has three homers on the season and four doubles. The biggest issue for the Angels this year has been the back end of the rotation. They won’t have to maneuver this issue with it being Ohtani’s day to throw, but it will hold them back from being successful if it isn’t fixed. 

Boston Red Sox Preview

The Boston Red Sox are too talented to be an average club in 2023. This team isn’t winning any divisions this season, but they can win over 50% of their games, despite being in a tough group. Boston was blasted in their previous series against the Rays, losing four straight games. The Red Sox weren’t even competitive at Tropicana Field, but they’ve seemed to get a new mentality versus the Angels. 

The Red Sox aren’t making as many mistakes in the field, and the offense is coming up with clutch hits. The bullpen has also seemed to improve overnight for the Red Sox. The unit still isn’t dominant but they’ve found ways to finish against the Angels. 

Bello’s is expected to be one of the strongest arms for the Red Sox in 2023. It’ll be interesting to see if he can keep the momentum going for Boston on Monday. The team has earned our trust for a +1.5 bet over the past three days, even with the young wing on the hill. 

Angels vs Red Sox How to Watch

• Location: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
• Game Time & Date: APR. 17 @ 11:10 a.m ET
• Streaming: MLB.TV