by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Apr 17, 2025
Game Time: 9:38 pm ET, Friday, April 18, 2025
Venue: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
Where to Watch: FDSW
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Giants -148, Angeles +124; Over/Under: 8 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Giants -150, Angeles +125; Over/Under: 8 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Giants -150, Angeles +125; Over/Under: 8 runs
Season Record
San Francisco Giants: 13-5 (2nd place, NL West)
Los Angeles Angels: 9-8 (2nd place, AL West)
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Recent Form
San Francisco Giants: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Angels: 5-5 last 10
San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Angels Preview and Analysis
The Giants won their 3-game series against the New York Yankees 2-1. They enter this game with a 13-5 record overall and have a road record of 9-3. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Angels on Friday with the series finale of their series against the Philadelphia Phillies still to be played on Thursday. The Giants won the series opener on Monday and the 3rd game on Wednesday but lost the 2nd game on Tuesday. Their offense ranks 9th in the MLB with a .730 OPS. Jordan Hicks is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Logan Webb is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA this season. His team won 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 ER, 0 HR, and 4 BB with 5 Ks on 5 hits through 5 IP against the New York Yankees.
The Angels lost their 3-game series against the Houston Astros 2-1. They enter this game with a 9-8 record overall and have a home record of 2-1. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Giants on Friday with the 3rd game of their series against the Texas Rangers still to be played on Thursday. The Angels lost the 1st game of this series on Tuesday and the 2nd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 8th in the MLB with a .731 OPS. Jack Kochanowicz is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Tyler Anderson is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 1-0 with a 2.87 ERA this season. His team won their last 3 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 earned runs, 0 homers, and 4 BB with 6 strikeouts on 1 hit through 5.2 innings played against the Houston Astros.
Giants vs Angels Prediction
The current betting odds have the Giants listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Giants have looked great in their games this season with their 13-5 record overall which has them right near the top of their division with one of the best records in the entire MLB. They have also been a great road team so far with their 9-3 road record this season. Meanwhile, the Angels have looked good in their games this season with their 9-8 record overall which has them right near the top of their division, but they haven't looked great lately and are hovering right around that .500 mark. They have only played 1 series in their home ballpark too, going 2-1 in those games. Both of these teams are going to have solid starters on the mound in this one. The Angels are going with Anderson who has been great this season while the Giants are going with Webb who has been very reliable for them going back to last year. With the way these two starters have been pitching, offense is going to be really important in this game and that is an area that the Giants have the edge in. The Angels have had the slightly better offense this season, but they haven't been putting up many runs lately at all. The Giants have been putting up a ton of runs in their games lately though, scoring double digits twice in their series against the Phillies. The Giants have also been rolling with a great start to the season and they can't afford to slow down with the strength of their division. The best way to place a bet here is on the Giants to win this game.
Giants Angels Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Friday, April 18, 2025 (9:38 pm ET start time) is Giants 4 Angels 1.
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MLB Betting Trends
San Francisco Giants: 172-169 (-11.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 92-73 (-13.5 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 53-44 (-10.2 units) on the moneyline vs. teams outscored by opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season.
Los Angeles Angels: 58-71 (+11.5 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +125 to +175. 20-16 (+11.5 units) on the moneyline vs. a starting pitcher who gives up 0.5 or less HR's/start.
Key Injuries
San Francisco Giants: T. Murphy (C) Sixty Day IL - Back. J. Encarnacion (RF) Ten Day IL - Finger.
Los Angeles Angels: B. Joyce (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. Y. Moncada (3B) Ten Day IL - Thumb. Z. Neto (SS) Ten Day IL - Shoulder. S. Bachman (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Upper Body. A. Rendon (3B) Sixty Day IL - Hip. R. Stephenson (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
"I get asked about the resiliency a lot. We've shown that the entire season. That's who these guys are." - Bob Melvin after his team’s win against the Phillies in their game on Wednesday.
“We haven’t discussed it but anything is possible." - Ron Washington on Zach Neto coming back from injury soon.
Starting Lineups
San Francisco Giants
Mike Yastrzemski (L) RF
Willy Adames (R) SS
Jung Hoo Lee (L) CF
Matt Chapman (R) 3B
Heliot Ramos (R) LF
LaMonte Wade Jr. (L) 1B
Wilmer Flores (R) DH
Patrick Bailey (S) C
Tyler Fitzgerald (R) 2B
Los Angeles Angels
Taylor Ward (R) LF
Luis Rengifo (S) 3B
Mike Trout (R) RF
Jorge Soler (R) DH
Travis d'Arnaud (R) C
Nolan Schanuel (L) 1B
Kyren Paris (R) 2B
Jo Adell (R) CF
Kevin Newman (R) SS
Statistical Leaders
San Francisco Giants
Batting Average: Jung Hoo Lee (.338)
Hits: Jung Hoo Lee (23)
Home Runs: Wilmer Flores (6)
RBI: Wilmer Flores (23)
Stolen Bases: Tyler Fitzgerald (4)
Wins: Robbie Ray (3)
Saves: Ryan Walker (4)
ERA: Randy Rodríguez (0.00)
Los Angeles Angels
Batting Average: Kyren Paris (.349)
Hits: Nolan Schanuel (18)
Home Runs: Mike Trout (6)
RBI: Mike Trout (14)
Stolen Bases: Kyren Paris (5)
Wins: Brock Burke (2)
Saves: Kenley Jansen (4)
ERA: Kenley Jansen (0.00)
Managers:
San Francisco Giants: Bob Melvin (2nd season)
Los Angeles Angels: Ron Washington (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
