This game could be low scoring as Andrew Heaney (5-1, 2.43 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (63-59) go up against Marco Estrada (10-7, 3.20 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (67-55) in the second of a three-game series at Angel Stadium. The Blue Jays won the last game 9-2 and Toronto leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 9:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 22 and will air on RSN, FSW and MLBN.
In his last start, Heaney pitched 6.0 innings, giving up one run, striking out four and walking one in a 2-1 loss to the White Sox. The Blue Jays were unsuccessful to the Yankees 4-1 the last time Estrada pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out three and walking three. Josh Donaldson (.296, 90 Rs, 33 HRs, 94 RBIs, 4 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Blue Jays, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run and three RBIs.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. Los Angeles has averaged 2.7 runs per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 4.0. The Angels rank fourth in the majors in extra base hits with 323. Don’t expect the Los Angeles hitters to swing wildly. They average only 7.2 strikeouts per game.
Toronto is one of the top home-run-hitting teams in the league with 163 home runs. Toronto’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 2.8 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 4.1.
The Blue Jays are 3-2 against the Angels this season. The Angels will take on a right-hander (Estrada) in this game and have a 45-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Blue Jays will be the left-hander Heaney. They sport a 15-12 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Los Angeles is 31-18, while Toronto is 32-22.
The Blue Jays are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Angels have a 9-25 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Angels are 45-14. The Blue Jays have a 54-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Toronto tops the league in runs with 643 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 491.
Ranking 18th, 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 404.
When the Angels hit at least one home run, they are 50-29, well-matched with the Blue Jays who are 61-29 when hitting one or more homers.
