The Coach's MLB Heavy Hitter - (Bigtime Blowout Potential)
(MLB) LA Angels vs. Chi White Sox, 08/10/2015 4:10 PM, Score: 2 - 8
Point Spread: 1.50 | -172.00 LA Angels (Away)
Result: Loss
The Los Angeles Angels are coming into this contest as owners of the second Wild Card in the American League but might aim for more than that sitting just half a game behind the Astros for the division title. They'll visit a Chicago White Sox team that has won only one of its last seven games and I like the Halos chances of recording an upset.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The White Sox hand the ball to their ace Chris Sale (9-7, 3.52 ERA) who has enjoyed success against the Angels in past match-ups going 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA. He's not pitched anywhere near his usual standards of late though compiling a 7.61 ERA in his last four starts overall, allowing 14 runs on 18 hits in 10 1/3 innings in his last two outings alone. The Angels can counter with the red hot Matt Shoemaker (5-7, 4.01 ERA) who's tossed a total of 19 shutout innings over his last three outings. He's really in the zone and has retired 27 batters over that span and this should be a good spot for him to better his numbers against the White Sox.

2. Home Woes - The White Sox have lost six of their last seven games as a home favorite and the Angels have won seven of the last eight meetings at U.S. Cellular Field.

3. X-Factor - The Halos have won seven of their last eight against left-handed starters.

Selection: This is a play on the Los Angeles Angels +1.5 (8*)