R.A. Dickey (1-5, 5.76 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (18-24) go up against Matt Shoemaker (3-3, 5.63 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (21-19) in the last of a four-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Angels won the last game 4-3 and Los Angeles leads the series 2-1. The game starts at 7:07 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 21 and will air on FSN-W and RSN.
Dickey has a 5.79 ERA and a 1-3 record in his career against the Angels, but is up against a less-than-stellar Los Angeles offense that’s hitting just .234 on the year. In his pitching opportunities against the Blue Jays, Shoemaker is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA, two strikeouts and zero walks. Mike Trout (.288, 31 Rs, 11 HRs, 22 RBIs, 7 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Angels, going 2 for 3 yesterday with three runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Toronto is a -122 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is nine runs. The Blue Jays are in an interesting position this season. While they have a notable winning record in games where they’re the favorite (11-7), their overall money line (-623) is less impressive. The Blue Jays lead the majors in extra base hits with 138. Don’t expect the Toronto hitters to swing wildly in their own ballpark. They average only 6.3 strikeouts per home game. Turning to the pitching staff, the Blue Jays are fifth in the AL in hits allowed at home with just 7.7 per game.
Across the field, the Angels have a record of 7-8 when they are the underdog and are -99 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 7-3 SU and have played well as the underdog with a 3-1 record. The Angels average just 7.2 strikeouts per game, one of the lowest marks in the AL. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 2.7 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 3.6. They have a WHIP of 1.16 on the year, good for fourth in the league.
The Angels are 2-1 against the Blue Jays this season. The Blue Jays will take on a right-hander (Shoemaker) in this game and have a 12-20 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Angels will be the right-hander Dickey. They sport a 13-16 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Under
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Los Angeles is 11-7, while Toronto is 9-9.
After a weak showing last week where they got in five hits, the Blue Jays need to step it up. The Angels have a record of 9-2 when opponents get five hits or fewer.
It looks like the Angels have a slight leg up on the Blue Jays, as the Angels have won their last two games while the Blue Jays have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Angels are 14-6. The Blue Jays have a 16-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Toronto ranks at the top of the league when it comes to runs with 215 this season. Los Angeles ranks near the bottom at 26th with 147.
Ranking 24th, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 95 this season. Toronto ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 137.
The Blue Jays are 15-10 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Angels are 14-11 when they hit at least one homer.
