Yankees vs. Angels Preview & Pick

In a rematch of a 2005 American League Divisional series, the New York Yankees make their way to Southern California to take on the Los Angeles Angels in the first game of a three-game series Friday night.

After thumping the A’s 15-2 in the season opener, the Yanks lost the next two to Oakland, falling 9-4 on Wednesday while giving up five unearned.

The Angels dropped two of three at Seattle to open the season, giving up 20 runs in the three games.

Los Angeles took the season series from New York last year six games to four, and the Angels beat the Yanks in an A.L. Divisional playoff series three games to two. The over/under went 5-5 in the ten regular-season meetings between these two teams last year.

New York’s Friday starter Shawn Chacon compiled an 8-10 record and a 3.42 ERA in 2005, but really helped the Yanks out with a 7-3 mark and 2.85 ERA after coming to NY from Colorado. In Chacon’s 25 starts a season ago, the under went 17-8.

Chacon made two starts (one in the playoffs) for the Yanks vs. L.A. last year, allowing two earned runs and 12 baserunners (hits + walks) in 12 1/3 innings pitched.

Angels’ starter Kelvim Escobar went 4-4 with a 2.79 ERA last year. The Angels went 4-3 in games started by Escobar, and the over also went 4-3 in those games. Escobar didn’t make any starts against New York in ’05, but he did start two games vs. the Yankees in 2004, allowing four earned runs and 12 baserunners in 10 innings.

The Yankee bullpen, which compiled a surprisingly high 4.40 ERA and a 71% save ratio last year, has allowed three earned runs in 4 2/3 IP so far this season.

Los Angeles relievers, who combined for a very solid 3.45 ERA and a 77% save ratio last season, have allowed five earned runs in 9 2/3 innings thus far this year.

The over is a collective 5-1 in Yankee and Angel games this season, but the under is 8-2 in the last 10 games in the series between these two teams played in California.