Angels vs. Yankees Game 1 Thursday MLB probable pitchers, odds: Shohei Ohtani could have first twin-bill double in nearly 80 years

The Los Angeles Angels have lost a season-high six straight games – they haven't dropped seven in a row since 2019 – but do have ace Shohei Ohtani on the mound in Game 1 of a doubleheader at the New York Yankees this afternoon. New York, though, is a -125 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook behind its unlikely ace Nestor Cortes. The total is set at 7 runs despite two of the AL's top offenses being involved. (See tickets at StubHub)

If Ohtani is in the lineup for Game 2 tonight as the designated hitter (where he also is in Game 1), he could become the first player since Jimmie Foxx on Sept. 2, 1945 to start both games of a doubleheader with one as a pitcher and one as a non-pitcher. Foxx started Game 1 on the mound for Philadelphia and the second game at first base.

Ohtani (3-3, 3.45 ERA) didn't fare well in his start last Thursday against Toronto, allowing five runs over six innings in a loss, although he did strike out 10. The right-hander has generated a 35.6 percent swing-and-miss rate this season, which is fourth-best mark in the majors (minimum of 40 innings pitched). Ohtani is set at Over/Under 6.5 strikeouts today and 2.5 earned runs allowed.

The Yankees badly wanted Ohtani when he was first posted by the Nippon-Ham Fighters in December 2017. This will be his second career start against New York. and the first also was at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2021, when Ohtani lasted just 0.2 innings and was rocked for seven earned runs despite allowing just two hits (he walked four). Ohtani actually avoided the loss after the Angels rallied for seven runs in the ninth inning after a lengthy rain delay.

Two Angels regulars, outfielder Brandon Marsh and third baseman Tyler Wade, are not in the Game 1 starting lineup because they struggle against lefties and New York is starting the southpaw Cortes (4-1, 1.70 ERA).  Cortes is now a +650 fourth favorite for the AL Cy Young Award.

Cortes has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 18 consecutive starts, the second-longest streak in franchise history by a starting pitcher, trailing only Russ Ford (20). Cortes has given up two earned or fewer in eight of nine this year, and his 1.70 ERA is the second-lowest in the majors.

This will be his first career start against the Angels, but he has pitched four times in relief against them with four earned in 6.2 innings. Ohtani is 0-for-3 off of him. Max Stassi is 3-for-3 with two homers vs. Cortes and in the lineup, but the catcher is not offered a HR prop at Caesars.

New York is sitting outfielder Miguel Andújar and shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa in Game 1. 

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