The Los Angeles Angels (27-20, 15-11 home) continue its four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays (25-20, 11-12 away) with game three on Saturday evening. Toronto has taken the first two from the hosts, winning 6-3 in the opener and 4-3 on Friday night.
The first pitch of Saturday’s contest is at 10:07 p.m. EST at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. Los Angeles is the current betting favorite (-115), and the over-under total is 8.5 runs.
What to Know – Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto has won three in a row heading into the weekend and are winners in five of its last seven contests. The Blue Jays remain 7.5 games back of the New York Yankees in the AL East.
The expected starter for the visitors is left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (2-1, 3.47 ERA, 1.27 WHIP). Kikuchi’s made eight appearances this season, totaling 36.1 innings of work. In his last start, the 30-year-old fired 4.1 innings, surrendering two earned runs on two hits, three walks, and tying a season-high seven strikeouts.
The hard-hitting Blue Jays lineup is paced by the leadoff man George Springer. The outfielder is tied for a team-high nine home runs and leads Toronto with 26 runs batted in. Friday’s 0-4 effort snapped a nine-game hitting streak for the 32-year-old outfielder. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is tied with Springer with nine long balls and 23 RBI of his own.
Toronto’s offense hits .234 as a team, 20th in the majors, and averages 3.7 runs per game. The Blue Jays’ pitching staff is eighth in the majors and fifth in the AL with a 3.44 team earned run average.
What to Know – Los Angeles Angels
The Angels look to break out of their recent losing slump after three-straight defeats. Los Angeles sits 2.5 games back of the Hoston Astros from the top spot in the AL West.
On the hill for the Angels is expected to be right-hander Michael Lorenzen (5-2, 3.05 ERA, 1.06 WHIP). The 30-year-old has picked victories in three of four starts in May. Lorenzen has pitched 41.1 innings, allowing 14 earned runs on 31 hits, 13 walks, and striking out 29.
Six players have eclipsed the 20 RBI mark already for the Angels. Utility player Shohei Ohtani leads the way with 29, and Jared Walsh is right behind with 28. Mike Trout has a team-high 12 home runs with 26 RBI.
The Angels are tenth in the league with a .247 team batting average, scoring 4.7 runs per game. Los Angeles’ pitchers are also tenth in the MLB with a collective 3.49 team ERA.
The Pick is In
Los Angeles needs a victory to snap its recent losing skid and avoid going down 0-3 in the four-game series. You knew the Toronto offense would start to turn up the heat, and it looks it is starting to happen.
We like the team that’s won three-straight at plus money to keep it going Saturday night in Anaheim.
Betting Pick: Toronto Blue Jays ML
