Los Angeles Angels Odds: Ohtani’s Impact: Changing Angels’ Playoff Odds

Ohtani Stays Put: Angels’ Decision on Superstar’s Trade Status

It wasn’t so surprising when, on Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Angels announced that they would be keeping all-world superstar Shohei Ohtani through the trade deadline and would not be trading him (even though he’s set to be one of MLB’s mostly highly-sought-after free agents of all time in a few months) as many people thought they might. Of course, the decision helps the Los Angeles Angels odds to make the playoffs as Ohtani is in the middle of what might be the best single season in baseball history.

Immediately after Angels’ general manager Perry Minasian confirmed that Ohtani would stay with the team through the end of the season, he put on a performance for the ages. In the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, he threw a complete game shutout while allowing just one hit for his first complete game (and first shutout) as a Major Leaguer. But, he wasn’t done because he then hit two home runs in the second game (another Angels’ win) to give him 38 on the season — far and away the most in the Majors. Just another day at the office for Shohei.

Competition in the AL: Obstacles in the Wild Card Race

Los Angeles has now won four games in a row and is 54-49, just three games out of the final AL Wild Card spot. Plus, it’s clear that with two months left in the MLB regular season schedule, the Angels aren’t done adding. On Wednesday night, just after Minasian’s announcement, they added pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López from the Chicago White Sox. Even with Mike Trout still out due to injury, the Angels are looking much more formidable and likely will add another bat or two before next week’s deadline.

The Angels still need to contend with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Seattle Mariners in the American League standings just to get into the Wild Card picture. So, the odds don’t love the Angels’ chances to make the playoffs due to Trout’s injury, the competition in the race and how dependent on Ohtani Los Angeles is. They are currently +650 to make the playoffs (-1200 to miss the playoffs) which does seem very low but is ultimately pretty reasonable with how up-and-down the Angels have been all season.

Angels’ Playoff Odds: A Closer Look at Current Betting Numbers

The Los Angeles Angels odds provide plenty of interesting value if you think that they will continue to add useful pieces in the next few days and if you think the other teams around them won’t improve enough. The Yankees will be getting Aaron Judge back soon but, otherwise, they might not be huge buyers considering how mediocre they have been for the last few months. The Red Sox are red hot (winners of four straight) and are in a position to buy but it’s not clear whether they’ll be able to get the pitching upgrades they sorely need. The Mariners could also refrain from buying as they hope to regroup for 2024 when they should be healthier.

That isn’t even to mention how the Angels would also need to displace one of the current Wild Card teams if they want to make the postseason. Right now, the Toronto Blue Jays are four games ahead, the Houston Astros are five games up and the Tampa Bay Rays are seven games up. All three of those teams figure to be aggressive at the deadline because they’re very talented teams that could improve on the rental market. That’s why the Angels cannot afford to be complacent after announcing they were not going to trade Ohtani. Having him is great but it doesn’t ensure a playoff berth.

Morale Boost and Confidence: Impact of Keeping Ohtani

There’s also the morale boost involved in keeping Ohtani that should not be overlooked. The Los Angeles Angels odds have been depressed a bit — as has the feeling emanating from the Los Angeles clubhouse — because of the looming specter of an Ohtani deal. But, now that it’s clear the front office is fully behind this team, look for them to play a bit looser and freer. It can be tough for teams to stay motivated when they are turned into sellers and it can work in the other direction when a team is not only keeping a star player but also adding talent around said player. That won’t help as much as Ohtani’s presence will but it’s another positive sign for an Angels team that will need anything it can get if it’s going to play October baseball.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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