C.J. Wilson (2-2, 2.62 ERA) gets the start for the Los Angeles Angels (19-18) as they meet Aaron Sanchez (3-3, 4.26 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (17-22) in the first of a four-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays go into this series on a five-game losing streak. The game starts at 1:07 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 18 and will air on FSN-W and RSN.
In his last start, Sanchez pitched 5.2 innings, giving up five runs, striking out one and walking four in a 6-1 loss to the Orioles. Russell Martin (.284, 23 Rs, 7 HRs, 21 RBIs, 2 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4. In his pitching opportunities against the Blue Jays, Wilson is 3-4 with a 4.19 ERA. He gets a solid Toronto offense that’s batting .256. Kole Calhoun (.302, 14 Rs, 3 HRs, 18 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Toronto is favored by a slight -111 margin in its matchup against Los Angeles. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at nine runs. The Blue Jays perform well as a favorite with a 10-6 record, but haven’t fared as well with the overall money line (-503). Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (3-1). The Blue Jays rank second in the majors in extra base hits with 129. Don’t expect the Toronto hitters to swing wildly in their own ballpark. They average only 6.2 strikeouts per home game. As for the pitching staff, the Blue Jays don’t give up many hits to opposing batters at the Rogers Centre, ranking third in the AL with only 7.6 hits allowed per home game.
On the other side, the Angels have a record of 6-7 when they are the underdog and are +18 overall with the money line. Over the last 10 games, they were unbeaten as the underdog with a perfect 2-0 record and 8-2 SU. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 2.2 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 3.5. They have a WHIP of 1.13 on the year, good for second in the league.
The Blue Jays will take on a left-hander (Wilson) in this game and have a 5-2 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Sanchez will take the mound against the Angels, who have a 12-14 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Under
Notes
When the Blue Jays play into extra innings, they have a 1-0 record. The Angels are 1-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Angels are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Blue Jays have a 3-6 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Angels are 12-6. The Blue Jays have a 15-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Toronto ranks at the top of the league when it comes to runs with 200 this season. Los Angeles ranks near the bottom at 27th with 134.
Ranking 25th, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 88 this season. Toronto ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 126.
When the Blue Jays hit at least one home run, they are 14-9. When the Angels hit at least one homer, they have a 12-10 record.
