The Los Angeles Angels (54-77, 68-63 RL, 62-64-5 O/U) face off against the Detroit Tigers (66-66, 71-60 RL, 69-58-3 O/U) in the opening game of a three-match series on Tuesday night. The Angels will send Johnny Cueto to the mound while the Tigers counter with Brant Hurter. Currently, the Angels hold a 3-1 advantage in their season series against Detroit.
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Angels’ Recent Challenges
Johnny Cueto takes the mound after making his season debut last week, where he allowed three runs on eight hits over 6.1 innings against the Royals. Although he faced defeat, Cueto has a notable history against the Tigers, holding a 2.79 ERA and a 2-3 record over 48.1 innings pitched against them. Last season with the Marlins was tough for him, resulting in a 6.02 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Furthermore, his minor league performance this year was less than stellar, with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.
The Angels are experiencing a tough nine-game road stretch. Recently, they lost a series against the Royals and were swept by the Blue Jays, scoring only 10 runs while conceding 21 in those four games. They are 10 games under .500 on the road, struggling to find offensive consistency.
Among the bright spots for Los Angeles is Zach Neto, who has 17 RBIs and an impressive .892 OPS this month. The 23-year-old shortstop has 19 home runs and 64 RBIs this season. However, against the Tigers, his performance has been modest, with only three RBIs and a .588 OPS. Logan O’Hoppe also stands out with four RBIs and a 1.28 OPS against Detroit.
The Angels’ offense averages just 3.93 runs per game, ranking them 27th in the league. Their pitching staff has a 4.58 ERA, placing them 28th overall.
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Tigers Aim for Balance
On the other side, the Tigers will start Brant Hurter on Tuesday evening. Hurter had a mixed outing in his last appearance, allowing two runs in 3.2 innings against the Cubs but managed to earn a win. Since his promotion earlier this month, he has been impressive, posting a 3.57 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP over 17.2 innings. This matchup marks his first-ever encounter against the Angels.
Detroit is eager to achieve a .500 record in this series. They have triumphed in three of their last four series, including a significant series victory against the Yankees. The Tigers have been on a scoring spree, racking up 27 runs in their last series against the White Sox, although they currently sit one game below .500 at home.
Riley Greene is having an impressive month, showcasing a .761 OPS in six games. The 23-year-old outfielder has 18 home runs and 55 RBIs this season, displaying his potential. Veteran catcher Jake Rogers has also contributed significantly, with 11 RBIs this month and three RBIs in three games against the Angels.
As a team, the Tigers are averaging 4.24 runs per game, ranking them 18th in the league. Their pitching staff boasts a solid 3.85 ERA, placing them 10th.
Best Bets for Los Angeles Angels vs. Detroit Tigers
The Los Angeles Angels have struggled recently, losing eight of their last ten games and dropping five straight series. In contrast, the Detroit Tigers are riding a wave of success, winning six of their last eight games, including a sweep against the Mariners and a series win over the Yankees in their last two home outings.
While Angels pitcher Johnny Cueto had a decent season debut, his performance included eight hits allowed. In the minors, he faced challenges with a 4.76 ERA. On the other hand, Tigers pitcher Brant Hurter has been effective, with a 3.57 ERA in 17.2 innings. The Tigers’ motivation to reach a .500 record in this series reflects their commitment to turning the franchise around after a prolonged rebuilding phase.
