Los Angeles Angels (11-12) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (10-15)
Game Info: Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 9:29 pm (Angel Stadium)
The Line: Betting Odds: Los Angeles Angels -142 / Pittsburgh Pirates +120 — Over/Under: 8.5
In this article, we will formulate a Pirates vs Angels prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, April 24, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates (10-15, 4-8 Away) are on a two-series road trip in Los Angeles, where they play against the Angels and Dodgers. Before this series with the Angels, the Pirates won against the Nationals but were swept by the Guardians at home. Pittsburgh won Game 1 of the current series 9-3 and then kept the hosts off the scoreboard in a 3-0 victory. Andrew Heaney took the win after allowing no runs on one hit with nine strikeouts and no walks over 6.0 innings of work.
This season, the Pirates average 3.60 runs per game (24th in the MLB) on a .222/.304/.335 slash line. Regarding pitching, the Pirates’ staff has a 3.84 ERA (11th) and 1.17 WHIP (7th). Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with a .263 batting average, three home runs, and 13 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Pirates is Carmen Mlodzinski, who is 1-3 in four starts this season, with a 7.41 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 17.0 innings.
Los Angeles Angels Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Angels (11-12, 4-4 Home) bounced back from a series sweep against the Rangers with a win over the San Francisco Giants at home. However, the Angels now face another series sweep against the Pirates, after losing the opening two games. In the recent 3-0 defeat, the Angels had just two hits. Jack Kochanowicz took the loss after allowing two runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 6.0 innings.
This year, the Angels average 3.96 runs per game (21st in the MLB) on a .216/.274/.394 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Angels’ staff has a 4.50 ERA (25th) and 1.43 WHIP (26th). Mike Trout leads the Angels with a .169 batting average, eight home runs, and 16 RBI this season.
Tyler Anderson will take the mound for the Angels on Thursday. The 25-year-old left-hander has a 2-0 record in four starts this year with a 2.08 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 21.2 innings.
Why the Angels will beat the Pirates
- The Pirates have lost eight of their last 10 night games following a win.
- The Angels have won three of their last four night games against National League opponents following a loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games following a win.
- The Angels have covered the run line in three of their last four night games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim following a home loss.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Pirates’ last nine road games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Angels’ last six games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 11 of the Angels’ last 12 games as favorites.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Pirates’ last nine road games against AL West opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Angels rank 28th in the league for hits this season (164).
- The Angels rank T28th in the league for steals this season (9).
- The Pirates rank 4th in the league for steals this season (31).
- The Pirates rank 26th in the league for home runs this season (18).
Pirates vs Angels Prediction
The teams have traded wins in the past few years, as each recorded five in the previous ten H2Hs. After scoring no runs in Game 2, I expect the Angels to bounce back on Thursday. They will start their best pitcher, which can’t be said for Mlodzinski. Anderson allowed a .267 BA in 60 at-bats against the Pirates, while Pittsburgh has a .209 BA in 201 at-bats against southpaws this season. Anderson has an advantage in this one, and I am sure he will exploit it after allowing zero runs in his last two starts. I am going with the Angels.