The Los Angeles Angels (58-76, 29-39 home) face off against the Detroit Tigers (51-83, 21-43 away) in the series opener of a three-game set to begin the week. The Tigers took two of three games from the Angels in Detroit earlier this season.
The first pitch of Monday’s contest is at 9:38 p.m. EST at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Los Angeles is currently the betting favorite at -190, and the over-under total is 8.5 runs.
What to Know – Detroit Tigers
The franchise rebuild continues for the Tigers, who are on their way to missing the postseason for the eighth season in a row. Detroit finds themselves in last place in the American League Central division.
Monday’s expected starter for the visitors is left-hander Tyler Alexander (3-8, 4.76 ERA, 1.32 WHIP). The 28-year-old tries to bounce back this month after finishing August with a 1-4 record in six starts. Alexander has pitched 68.0 innings this year, allowing 36 earned runs on 74 hits and 16 walks while striking out 37 batters.
Detroit’s offense struggles to generate any kind of run support for their pitching staff with its young lineup. Javier Baez and Jeimer Candelario are tied for a team-high 12 home runs, while Baez paces the lineup with 49 runs batted in. Veteran bat Miguel Cabrera headed to the injured list on Sunday with a left bicep injury.
The Tigers are 26th in the majors, hitting .229 as a team and scoring 3.3 runs per contest. Detroit’s pitching staff ranks 20th in the league sporting a 4.10 team earned run average.
What to Know – Los Angeles Angels
Even with two of the best players in major league baseball, the Angels continue to struggle and remain a non-factor in the American League. Los Angeles is fourth in the AL West, 28 games behind the leading Houston Astros.
Lefty Jose Suarez (5-6, 4.10 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) gets the nod on the hill for the hosts. Suarez was efficient in August, picking up three wins, including a victory in his last start over the Yankees, and wrapping up the month with a 2.51 ERA. This season, the 24-year-old has tossed 74.0 innings, surrendering 36 earned runs, 74 hits, 30 walks, and striking out 77 batters.
The Angels moved some pieces at the trade deadline but held on to their offensive core of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. The two stars do it all for the Angels, combining for 59 home runs and 141 RBIs. Ohtani sits 14th in the majors in runs driven in.
Los Angeles averages 3.8 runs per game and sits 28th in the MLB with a .226 team batting average. The pitching staff for the Angels has a 3.80 team ERA, 11th in the majors.
The Pick is In
These two teams are looking to close out the remainder of the season healthy and head into the offseason, with neither making the postseason. Los Angeles has the better of the two pitchers on the mound, and with Ohtani and Trout in the lineup, we like the Halos to take this at home.
The Pick: Los Angeles Angels ML
