NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Prediction 
Odds 
Last Recap 
Game Picks 
Top Handicapper 
“Embarrassed” Walker Buehler Looks to End June Swoon as Red Sox Visit Angels
Walker Buehler is no stranger to the bright lights of Southern California. Just last fall, he was on top of the baseball world, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series championship. On Monday night, he returns to the area as a member of the Boston Red Sox, but under vastly different circumstances. Mired in the worst slump of his season, the veteran ace is on a personal mission to get back on track as his new team opens a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels. Both clubs are coming off frustrating weekend losses and are desperate to start the week with a clean slate.
The Buehler Dilemma: A Crisis of Confidence
When the Red Sox signed Walker Buehler to a one-year, $21.05 million contract in the offseason, they were banking on his pedigree as a big-game pitcher and a clubhouse leader. For the first two months, he delivered. But the calendar flip to June has been a nightmare for the 30-year-old right-hander. In three starts this month, Buehler has been shelled for 16 earned runs in just 12 1/3 innings, posting a staggering 11.68 ERA. His last start was the low point, an 8-0 loss in Seattle where he allowed a season-high eight earned runs.
For a pitcher known for his fierce competitiveness, the struggles have been humbling. “It (stinks) to fail on that kind of level with kind of where our team is at and how we’ve been feeling about ourselves and starting to play really good baseball,” a brutally honest Buehler said. “And to be an older guy that was brought in here to kind of try and help lead, and to perform the way I have been, it’s tough and embarrassing.” The psychological toll of a slump on a star player is a significant factor, a topic often explored in our expert betting guide.
Boston’s Defensive Woes
Buehler’s struggles on the mound are only part of Boston’s recent problems. The team is coming off a sloppy weekend series loss to the Giants in which their defense repeatedly let them down. The Red Sox gave up eight unearned runs in the three-game set, a number that infuriated manager Alex Cora. The series-deciding run on Sunday scored on a routine liner that clanked off the glove of infielder Romy Gonzalez, a play he knew he had to make.
“That play has gotta be made, simple as that,” Gonzalez said, taking full responsibility. “We’re major leaguers. That play has to be made 100 out of 100 times.”
“I don’t know how many (unearned runs) there were but we’ve got to play better defense,” Cora added. “The whole weekend was kind of sloppy in that department.”
The Angels’ Heartbreak and Hope
The Angels are dealing with their own brand of frustration after a heartbreaking 8-7 loss to the first-place Astros on Sunday. They entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing by two but staged a valiant rally. Zach Neto led off with a pinch-hit home run. Two outs later, Nolan Schanuel doubled, bringing the winning run to the plate in the form of three-time MVP Mike Trout. It was the exact scenario every team dreams of. Trout delivered, scorching a 3-1 slider, but it was hit directly at the center fielder to end the game.
“Mike hit the ball right on the screws,” said Angels bench coach Ray Montgomery. “That’s all you can do if you’re Mike, just hit the ball right on the screws. Bad aim.” While the result was a loss, the quality of the at-bats showed that the Angels are capable of battling back against anyone.
Dive into Advanced MLB Metrics
Subscribe Today
A Duel of Pitchers Seeking a ‘W’
Monday’s game features a fascinating matchup of two pitchers looking to get back in the win column. For the Angels, right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (3-8, 5.38 ERA) will try to snap a six-start winless streak. He will be making his first career start against Boston. He faces Buehler, who, despite his recent woes, has a strong 3.92 career ERA against the Angels. This battle of two struggling arms will be a key focus on the scores and odds board.
A Clean Slate
This series opener offers a chance at redemption for two proud MLB teams. The Red Sox need to clean up their defense and get a confidence-building start from their ace. The Angels need to turn their hard-hit balls into victories. To see who our experts think will start the week off right, check out our daily MLB picks.
