Garrett Richards (12-9, 3.50 ERA) and R.A. Dickey (7-10, 4.14 ERA) take the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Angels (63-60) and the Toronto Blue Jays (68-55) at Angel Stadium. The Blue Jays won the last game 15-3 and Toronto leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 3:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 23 and can be seen on RSN and FSW.
Richards pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs (one unearned) and striking out four in a 5-3 win over the White Sox. Albert Pujols (.252, 67 Rs, 33 HRs, 70 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run. Dickey went 4.0 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out two and walking two in an 8-5 defeat to the Phillies in his last outing. Josh Donaldson (.301, 93 Rs, 34 HRs, 100 RBIs, 4 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Blue Jays, going 4 for 5 yesterday with three runs, one home run, and six RBIs.
Los Angeles is a slim -110 favorite at home against Toronto. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of eight runs. Though the Angels have had a tough season in terms of their overall money line (-241), they have done fairly well as a favorite with a record of 46-28. The Angels have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.9 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.0 runs per game. The Angels are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 326. Los Angeles’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 7.2 per game.
As for their opponent, in contrast to an encouraging overall money line (+261), Toronto has an unimpressive 18-28 record when playing as the underdog. They have managed to pull off a perfect record over their last ten games while playing as the underdog, and have a 7-3 SU record over the same span. The Blue Jays can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking second in the league with 165 home runs. The Blue Jays allow 4.1 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 3.0 runs per game during that span.
The Blue Jays lead the season series, 4-2. The Angels have a 45-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Dickey takes the mound. Richards (RHP) will be on the hill against the Blue Jays, who have a 51-43 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Over
Notes
Toronto recorded at least two errors for the 11th time this season.
The Angels managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Blue Jays who are coming in with a 37-18 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Blue Jays have a slight leg up on the Angels, as the Blue Jays have won their last two games while the Angels have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Angels are 45-14. The Blue Jays have a 55-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, Toronto has earned 658 this season. Los Angeles ranks 19th with 494 runs.
Ranking 19th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 334 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at fourth with 408.
When the Angels hit at least one home run, they are 50-30, well-matched with the Blue Jays who are 62-29 when hitting one or more homers.
