The Toronto Blue Jays (60-50) and Los Angeles Angels (56-56) open a four-game series with a doubleheader Tuesdsay at Angel Stadium. The opener is a makeup of an April 11 game at Toronto (the Blue Jays will bat as the home team) and is slated for a 6:07 p.m. ET first pitch. Let’s analyze the lines around the Angels vs. Blue Jays Game 1 odds with MLB picks and predictions.
RHP Chris Rodriguez is the projected starting pitcher for the Angels. Rodriguez has appeared in 14 games but this contest will mark just the second start of the season for the 23-year-old rookie. He is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, and 4.6 BB/9 in 25 2/3 IP.
- Allowed 4 runs (3 ER) through 6 IP in his first start Aug. 2 at Texas.
- Owns a 4.87 ERA across 20 1/3 innings at Double- and Triple-A this season.
LHP Steven Matz is the projected starter for the Blue Jays. He is 9-6 with a 4.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, and 2.4 BB/9 in 96 1/3 IP over 19 starts.
- Is coming off 6 scoreless innings with 1 BB and 8 K against Cleveland in his last start. Owns a 2.70 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break.
- Los Angeles batters own a small-sample .488 OPS against him.
Angels vs. Blue Jays Game 1 odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Angels +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Blue Jays -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Angels +1.5 (-175) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under: 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Prediction
Blue Jays 4, Angels 2
Money line (ML)
Toronto can mash the baseball as indicated by an MLB-best .786 OPS, but its the Blue Jays’ pitching that has stood out in the club going 10-2 over its last 12 games. Toronto hurlers own a 2.55 ERA and 2.0 BB/9 over those dozen games. Eleven games in that stretch were at home; Tuesday’s doubleheader marks the Jays’ first road action since July 29.
The Angels have also pitched well of late. They own a 3.34 ERA over their last 11 games. However, a slumping offense averaging 2.9 runs per game with a .573 OPS over that stretch has turned that fine ERA into a mere 5-6 record.
Its the record in 1-run games that really creates some potential leverage here. L.A. is 20-9 in 1-run games, and the Angels figure as an under-.500 club. Toronto is just 8-13 in 1-run contests; peg the Blue Jays as being more worthy of a win percentage approaching .600.
The visiting nine acting as the home team is the betting selection in this one but the money line price is too rich: PASS.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The twin-bill rule turns Tuesday’s games into 7-inning affairs, and that makes the ATS play a bit riskier. The Under has some play to it, which makes the Blue Jays’ hurdle all that much higher.
Matz figures as being better than his 4.30 ERA – a .337 batting average on balls in play hasn’t helped – and the lefty’s recent form is solid enough. Give the relief pitching nod to the Jays, and there is some risk of leaving Rodriguez in a few batters too long to save pitching for the long day.
BACK THE BLUE JAYS -1.5 (+135).
Over/Under (O/U)
In looking at Statcast’s quality-of-contact figures both clubs are a bit overcooked with their overall run production. Both teams have pitched well in recent weeks, and L.A.’s bats have been struggling.
TAKE THE UNDER 7.5 (-107).
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