In the last of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (71-55) and the Los Angeles Angels (53-73) at the Rogers Centre, J.A. Happ (17-3, 3.05 ERA) and Jered Weaver (8-11, 5.47 ERA) take the mound. The Angels won the last game 8-2, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 7:07 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 25 and will air on FSW and RSN.
In his most recent outing, Happ pitched 7.1 innings, giving up four runs, striking out nine and walking one in a 7-4 victory over the Yankees. Edwin Encarnacion (.271, 78 Rs, 35 HRs, 101 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 3. The Angels were unsuccessful against the Yankees 7-0 the last time Weaver pitched. He went 4.2 innings, allowing five runs and striking out two. Mike Trout (.312, 96 Rs, 24 HRs, 78 RBIs, 21 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Angels, going 3 for 5 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Toronto is a considerable -235 favorite at home and the Over/Under (O/U) for this matchup is set at nine runs. The Blue Jays perform well as a favorite with a 57-36 record and have an overall money line of +41. The Blue Jays come into the game with the third-ranked scoring offense in the AL, averaging 4.8 runs per game. The Blue Jays typically don’t swing at bad pitches, which has led to an AL-high 3.7 walks per game. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Blue Jays, who allow an AL-low 4.1 runs per game. The Blue Jays are fourth in the league in WHIP at 1.222.
Moving on to the away team, the Angels come into this game with a weak win percentage of .355 when playing as the underdog (27-49) and an overall money line of -2,011. The Angels average just 6.0 strikeouts per game, good for least in the AL.
This game will feature Weaver (RHP) on the mound against the Blue Jays, who have a 53-37 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The left-handed Happ will take the mound against the Angels, who have a 16-17 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
The Blue Jays managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Angels who are coming in with a 4-4 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Angels are 7-57. The Blue Jays have an 8-43 record when opponents outhit them.
Los Angeles ranks near the bottom of the league at 25th when it comes to home runs, hitting 121 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five with 180.
Ranking 13th, Toronto is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.46 per game. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.81.
Ranking 20th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.733). Toronto ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .762.
The Angels are 28-59 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Blue Jays are 43-42 when they allow at least one homer.
