Toronto Blue Jays (54-64) vs. Los Angeles Angels (52-66)
The 2024 MLB season continues on Tuesday, August 13, as the Toronto Blue Jays face off against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, with the first pitch scheduled for 9:38 PM ET.
These two teams are competing in the second game of a three-game series, with Monday’s matchup not included in this analysis. The Jays are favored at -145 on the moneyline, and the total run count is set at 9.0.
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Toronto Blue Jays: Assessing Their Season Outlook
The Toronto Blue Jays are experiencing a challenging season. They have lost three out of their last four series, posting a 5-8 record. Their latest game resulted in an 8-4 loss to the Oakland Athletics, bringing their season record to 54-64. As of Monday morning, they trail by 11 games for the final wild card spot in the American League.
As of August, Toronto’s batting average sits at a modest .241, with a .315 on-base percentage and a .369 slugging percentage. They have recorded 16 doubles, two triples, and six home runs over 295 at-bats this month. The bullpen has produced a 4.30 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and an opponent batting average of .241 through 29.1 innings pitched.
Kevin Gausman is projected to start for the Jays on Tuesday. The 33-year-old right-hander has a record of 10-8, with a 4.42 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 23 starts this season (132.1 IP). Gausman has been in solid form lately, going 4-0 in his last five outings with a 3.82 ERA and a .642 opposing OPS across 35.1 innings. His most recent performance was a strong eight-inning effort against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing just two earned runs on three hits.
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Los Angeles Angels: Struggling to Find Consistency
After winning two out of three games against the New York Yankees on the road, the Los Angeles Angels fell short against the Washington Nationals, losing two of three in that series. They managed to secure a 6-4 victory against the Nationals last Sunday, marking their fifth win in the last 11 games.
The Angels have a season batting line of .259/.343/.376 in August, with 15 doubles, one triple, and eight home runs from 348 at-bats. Their bullpen has performed reasonably well, achieving a 3.41 ERA and 1.37 WHIP, while limiting opponents to a .225 batting average over 34.1 innings this month.
Carson Fulmer is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles on Tuesday. The 30-year-old right-hander holds a record of 0-2 with a 3.74 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over five starts and 24 relief appearances (67.1 IP) in 2024. Since joining the Angels’ rotation on July 14, Fulmer has recorded a 3.60 ERA and .623 opposing OPS across 25 innings. In his last outing against the Yankees, he pitched four innings and allowed two runs on seven hits.
Best Bets for the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels
Based on the current performance, the Blue Jays appear to have the upper hand on the mound in this matchup. Kevin Gausman is coming off a stellar outing against a formidable lineup and is seeking his fifth victory in six starts.
Both teams have struggled offensively lately, which leads to a cautious approach. However, the Jays’ slight edge with Gausman on the mound could make a difference. The Angels have a wRC+ of 91 and an OPS of .663 against right-handed pitchers in August, while the Jays’ numbers stand at a wRC+ of 92 and an OPS of .666 against the same type of pitchers this month.
Carson Fulmer has struggled in recent games, allowing ten earned runs on 17 hits and seven walks over his last four starts (20.1 innings). His hard-hit percentage ranks in the 19th percentile among pitchers. The Angels may need to rely more heavily on their bullpen, which has faced challenges in the recent series against the Nationals.
