Angels vs. Yankees prediction and odds for Tuesday, April 18 (Future Yankee, Shohei Ohtani)

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17)
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, Shohei Ohtani pitched two scoreless innings and had two hits in a Los Angeles Angels win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Angels are now 8-8 as they head for the Bronx where they’ll begin a three-game series with the New York Yankees.

With Ohtani playing in Yankee Stadium with his free agency looming, the story has become whether he will play half of his games there next year and if he’ll do it in pinstripes. 

The Yankees are 10-6 after splitting a weekend series with the Twins and they will start Clarke Schmidt today. The Angels turn to Jose Suarez to try and get them above .500 on the year. Clarke is 0-0 with an 8.44 ERA and Suarez is 0-1 with a 10.80 mark. 

Let’s get into the odds for this AL cross country matchup. 

Angels vs. Yankees odds, run line and total

Angels vs. Yankees prediction and pick

As a Pirates fan, I know how this goes. From the moment we drafted Gerrit Cole, the question was immediately, “How long until he’s a Yankee?” Now, he’s dominating in pinstripes. These days, the same question is being asked about Ohtani as he approaches free agency this offseason. If the Yankees really do want something, then they’re almost always going to get it done.

As sad of a reality as that is, I’m dying for Ohtani to get out of Anaheim. He’s buried on an Angels franchise that even Mike Trout can’t ever carry to the playoffs, so at this point I’d be happy to have him in New York, because at least I’d get to see him in big games where his uniform doesn’t say Japan across the front. 

Like I said, the Yankees usually get what they want, but they could have a tougher time today against Jose Suarez. Despite his staggering 10.80 ERA, he does have a 5.36 FIP, which indicates some positive regression coming his way. The Yankees have faced left-handers for the fewest at-bats of any team in the MLB, 78. Aaron Judge is yet to record a hit off a lefty. 

Clarke Schmidt has an 8.44 ERA and a 6.32 FIP, so he could also be getting some serious positive regression in this one. 

The under is 4-0 in the Yankees last four games vs. left-handed pitchers, so that’s going to be our play in this one. 

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE


Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change