Angels vs. Yankees prediction and odds for Thursday, April 20 (Why UNDER is best bet)

The Angels and Yankees wrap up a three-game series on Thursday afternoon in the Bronx.

Nestor Cortes has been on point this season through three starts while showcasing pinpoint control, but will face an elite lefty-hitting lineup in the Angels. Can the Halos get to Cortes, something teams haven't been able to do consistently for the past three seasons, and also lean on Patrick Sandoval, who is having a career year to this point?

This should be a high-level pitching matchup, so let's get to the odds and dish out a best bet.

Angels vs. Yankees odds, run line and total

Angels vs. Yankees prediction and pick

This should be an elite lefty vs. lefty pitching matchup, but it could make it difficult for the Yankees elite offense to get going, as the team is the worst in the bigs against southpaws this year.

New York is hitting just .194 against left-handed pitching this season and Sandoval has been elite at keeping runs to a premium, pitching at least five innings in two of three starts and not allowing more than one run yet.

However, Cortes should be up to the task. He has a 2.60 ERA, while striking out 15 batters and only walking two. His fantastic control and ability to string together outs is going to be impactful against an Angels lineup that is top 10 in batting average against lefties this season.

Ultimately, I trust both pitchers to get through each lineup at least twice and send this game under the first five innings. I can't ever trust the Angels bullpen to close out a game without a blowup, so instead I'll target the F5 under as my best bet in this afternoon matchup.

PICK: UNDER 4.5 (-130)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.