Drew Hutchison (3-0, 6.17 ERA) and Jered Weaver (2-4, 4.44 ERA) are on the hill in the third of a four-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (18-23) and the Los Angeles Angels (20-19) at the Rogers Centre. The Angels won the last game 3-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 20 and can be seen on FSN-W and RSN.
Hutchison is 0-2 with a 6.52 ERA in his appearances against the Angels, but goes up against a below-average Los Angeles offense which is batting just .234 this season. Russell Martin (.304, 24 Rs, 7 HRs, 23 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4. Weaver is 9-2 with a 3.39 ERA when pitching against the Blue Jays. He takes on a good Toronto offense which is hitting .259 this season. Mike Trout (.280, 28 Rs, 10 HRs, 21 RBIs, 7 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Toronto is a -121 favorite against Los Angeles and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at nine runs. Though the Blue Jays have had a tough season in terms of their overall money line (-503), they have done fairly well as a favorite with a record of 11-6. The Blue Jays are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 136. Toronto’s batters do not strike out very often at home, with only 6.3 per game. Turning to the pitchers, the Blue Jays are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 7.8 hits per game to their opponents this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Los Angeles has a 6-8 record and an overall money line of -209. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Angels are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.16 for the season.
The Blue Jays have a 12-20 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Weaver takes the mound. Hutchison (RHP) will be on the hill against the Angels, who have a 12-16 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Under
Notes
Toronto has won 53% (9-8) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Los Angeles has won 59% (10-7) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Blue Jays are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Angels have a record of 10-5 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 2-18. The Angels have a 5-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 15th in home runs, Los Angeles has hit 34 this season. Toronto ranks sixth with 45 home runs.
Ranking 14th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.66 per game. Toronto ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.75.
Ranking 29th, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.645). Toronto ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .756.
The Angels are 9-16 when they allow at least one home run. The Blue Jays perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 10-18 record.
