The Los Angeles Angels (54-72, 67-59 RL, 60-61-5 O/U) are set to face off against the Toronto Blue Jays (59-67, 63-63 RL, 68-56-2 O/U) in a four-game series beginning Thursday evening. Griffin Canning will take the mound for the Angels, while the Blue Jays are expected to send Chris Bassitt to pitch. Currently, Toronto leads the season series 3-0.
When it comes to MLB Picks, expertise shines through!
Angels Turn to Canning Amidst Challenges
Griffin Canning steps onto the mound for the Angels, coming off a tough outing where he surrendered seven runs in just 4.1 innings against the Braves. His recent form shows a troubling 6.61 ERA for the month, reflecting a season-long struggle with a 5.41 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Notably, he has faced the Blue Jays before, allowing seven runs over 9.2 innings in his career against them.
The Angels are in the midst of a challenging road trip, having lost three consecutive series. Their recent performance includes a series defeat to the Braves and a split in the first two games against the Royals this week. As it stands, they are five games under .500 when playing away from home.
Catcher Logan O’Hoppe is experiencing a slump, registering only six RBIs and a subpar .455 OPS this August. Despite this, he has shown promise this season with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs, alongside a .746 OPS. However, he did not register a hit against the Blue Jays earlier in the month.
Currently, Los Angeles is averaging 4.01 runs per game, placing them at 25th in the league rankings. Their pitching staff holds a 4.55 ERA, which ranks 28th overall.
Blue Jays Seek Momentum in Homestand
Initially set to pitch, Chris Bassitt has been scratched from the start, leading to uncertainty for the Blue Jays on the mound. They may opt for a bullpen game or promote a pitcher from the minors, such as Jake Bloss from Triple-A. Veteran Ryan Yarbrough, boasting a 3.95 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, is also a candidate for significant innings. Chad Green has been a standout in relief, with a remarkable 1.82 ERA and 0.91 WHIP this season.
This season has been disappointing for Toronto, as they are set to miss out on postseason action. They have lost two of their last three series, recently dropping a road series to the Cubs and a home series against the Reds. The Blue Jays are currently three games below .500 at home.
With a focus on development, the Blue Jays are giving young players valuable experience. Ernie Clement has emerged as a bright spot, gathering nine RBIs and a .724 OPS in August alone. This 28-year-old third baseman has eight home runs and 37 RBIs for the season, showing a strong performance against the Angels with three RBIs and a 1.00 OPS.
On average, the Blue Jays are scoring 4.12 runs per game, ranking them 21st in the league. Their pitching staff reports a 4.48 ERA, putting them in 25th place overall.
Maximize your potential with our sportsbook promo codes!
Best Bets for Angels vs. Blue Jays Showdown
The Los Angeles Angels have been competitive on the road, recently winning their last two series, including victories over the Yankees and the Nationals. In contrast, the Blue Jays have struggled, losing three out of their last four series and only managing a 2-4 record in their last six games.
Additionally, the Angels have found success with Canning on the mound, winning six of his last ten outings. With the Blue Jays scratching Bassitt and potentially relying on a bullpen game or an inexperienced pitcher, the odds seem to favor Los Angeles in this matchup.
