No team has been more of a disappointment so far this season than the Los Angeles Angels. They poured tons of money into Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson and the team has started out 6-11 through 17 games. Tampa Bay is 5-1 at home so far in 2012. <\/p>\n
Los Angeles Angels vs. Tampa Bay Rays MLB Betting Preview Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Rays won the series opener last night behind a gem from David Price.<\/p>\n This is a terrific pitching matchup for game two of this series.<\/p>\n C.J. Wilson was the big pitching acquisition of the offseason. Even though the Angels have started slowly, it hasn\u2019t been Wilson\u2019s fault at all. He has allowed a total of five earned runs in 19 innings.<\/p>\n The Angels have won two of Wilson\u2019s three starts, and Los Angeles needs a big start from him here to help them get back on track.<\/p>\n Albert Pujols has started the season with a long home run slump. He has gone 69 at-bats without hitting a home run. In addition, he has now gone hitless in his last 16 at-bats. It hasn\u2019t been just Pujols that is slumping though.<\/p>\n Torii Hunter has the best batting average on the team, and he is hitting just .279. Over time you have to assume this offense will pick up the production.\u00a0[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Jeremy Hellickson pitched a shutout against the Yankees in his first start of the year. Hellickson struggled a bit through the last two games at Toronto and Boston. He is a very young talented pitcher who has pitched great at home in his short career.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay has benefited from a red hot start from Carlos Pena this year. Pena has an on-base-percentage of .440. Evan Longoria is hitting .339 and Matt Joyce is hitting .309. Tampa Bay is fourth in the majors with 23 home runs so far in 2012.<\/p>\n The Rays offense has actually been better than expected thus far.<\/p>\n This should be a pitching duel. Wilson and Hellickson can both be extremely dominant. The Rays are 8-2 in Hellickson\u2019s last 10 home starts. At even money, the Rays look like a solid value.<\/p>\n
\nStarting Pitchers: Los Angeles (Wilson) vs. Tampa Bay (Hellickson)
\nDate\/Time: April 25, 7:10 p.m. EST
\nMLB Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
\nMoneyline: Angels (-120) Rays (+100)
\nRunline: Angels -1.5 (+140) Rays +1.5 (-160)
\nTotal: 7.5<\/strong><\/p>\n