The Los Angeles Angels (25-29) host the New York Yankees (34-20) on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. First pitch from Angel Stadium is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on YES and FanDuel Sports West.
The Angels find themselves in a four-game losing streak and at risk of getting swept by the Yankees entering Wednesday night. Can the Halos get back on track with Yusei Kikuchi on the hill?
Find my Yankees vs Angels prediction and pick in my Wednesday MLB betting preview below.
Yankees vs Angels Prediction, Pick
- Yankees vs Angels pick: Angels Moneyline (+143) | Play to +128
My Yankees vs Angels best bet is the Angels moneyline. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Yankees vs Angels Odds, Lines
| Yankees Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -105 | 8.5 -115o / -105u | -170 |
| Angels Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -115 | 8.5 -115o / -105u | +143 |
Yankees vs Angels Projected Starting Pitchers
| RHP Clarke Schmidt (NYY) | Stat | LHP Yusei Kikuchi (LAA) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | W-L | 1-4 |
| 0.4 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.8 |
| 4.58/3.35 | ERA /xERA | 3.17/4.59 |
| 4.30/4.21 | FIP / xFIP | 4.34/4.52 |
| 1.34 | WHIP | 1.49 |
| 12.1% | K-BB% | 9.2% |
| 34% | GB% | 39.2% |
| 100 | Stuff+ | 95 |
| 101 | Location+ | 105 |
Yankees vs Angels Preview, Predictions
Yankees Betting Preview: Schmidt Could Bounce Back
The Yankees will turn the ball over to another of their excellent starting pitchers, though this time, it'll be one who's been a bit down on his luck this season.
Clarke Schmidt owns an excellent .221 Expected Batting Average through seven starts, and he's come home with a 24.2% strikeout rate, which puts him firmly above the league average.
His biggest issues have been walks and power — which isn't anything new for a pitcher who's hunting down strikeouts — but the good news about Schmidt is that his contact has been largely friendly overall, which has kept opponents from hitting him consistently.
Schmidt's poor 12.1% walk rate is also held down by a five-walk showing against the Mets two turns ago. Around that, he hasn't been the stingiest, although he certainly hasn't been nearly as bad, with no more than two free passes in his other three starts this month.
The right-hander is a fly-ball pitcher — a matchup that would theoretically suit the Angels, who have performed better against these types — but with waning power and a poor walk rate, there's a good chance Schmidt shows up once again here.
Angels Betting Preview: Kikuchi Has Yankees' Number
Yusei Kikuchi isn't the type of pitcher you'd expect to back against the Yankees — a team that exhibits great patience at the plate and hits for a ton of power — but the lefty has allowed just seven earned runs in his past five starts against New York dating back to the start of 2023.
What's more, Kikuchi hasn't surrendered more than four hits in any of his outings, totaling 20 against him in 27 1/3 innings, and he's allowed just two homers and seven walks over that span.
It would appear the lefty has this team's number, and a .325 xwOBA versus the current roster would back that up.
This should be yet another opportunity for Kikuchi to extend his ownership over this team, considering the Yankees' Isolated Power is down to .180 in the last two weeks, bringing them to a 113 wRC+ to rank ninth in the league.
It's certainly not a poor number, but it's far off the pace they've set for themselves this season, and it has come with a measly .248 average — so Kikuchi may have some success pitching to flyouts.
Yankees vs Angels Prediction, Betting Analysis
The Angels have walked in just 7.1% of plate appearances over the last two weeks, which will aid Schmidt in his pursuit of a lower walk rate. However, their menacing .212 ISO will put a pitcher who's struggled to limit power in great danger.
On top of that, the Angels may have Logan O'Hoppe — who missed Tuesday's tilt — back in the lineup, which would be significant considering he's been their hottest hitter.
