After using a barrage of home runs to snatch a comeback win last night, the Los Angeles Angels face the Toronto Blue Jays again this afternoon in their series rubber match.
Facing an early four-run hole, the Angels responded with clutch hitting and three dingers on the way to a 9-5 victory, despite starter Tyler Anderson lasting only 4 2/3 innings.
The Blue Jays finished with 10 hits last night but they all came from the top four in their line-up, including a two-RBI game from Matt Chapman, but another tough outing for Jose Berrios (six hits and four runs in four innings of work) opened the door for the Angels to level the series.
Take a closer look at this April 9 contest with our free MLB picks and predictions for Blue Jays vs. Angels.
Blue Jays vs Angels odds
Blue Jays vs Angels predictions
The turning point in last night’s game was a three-run HR from Mike Trout, a 427-ft long ball that gave the Los Angeles Angels the lead. It was just the latest big contribution from Trout, who has started 2023 with three homers, eight RBIs, and a .346 average.
He’s hit dingers in back-to-back games against the Toronto Blue Jays here in this series and I see his hot streak continuing against Toronto starter Yusei Kikuchi.
Trout has plenty of experience against Kikuchi from the lefty’s time with the Mariners in the AL West and he’s gained the upper hand in their head-to-head battles. Trout has hit .429 against Kikuchi in 14 at-bats, including six hits, two HRs, and six RBIs.
There’s been trademark consistency from Trout in the first few series of the season – backing up his words from the WBC: “Anything less than the playoffs is a disappointment.” He’s recorded a hit in seven of the Angels’ eight games this season and he’s even more dangerous with quality at-bats around him from Taylor Ward and Shohei Ohtani.
I’m taking these plus odds for Trout to take at least two bases against Toronto this afternoon, whether that’s another long ball or just his usual brand of disciplined hitting.
My best bet: Mike Trout Over 1.5 total bases (+115)
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Blue Jays vs Angels moneyline analysis
After a morale-boosting fightback last night, the Angels get the favorites tag again this afternoon, but that feels like nothing more than a small homefield edge given that the pitching battle doesn’t offer the hosts any kind of major advantage.
Reid Detmers was steady in his first start on Monday but was hooked after 4 2/3 innings after allowing three runs on four hits and striking out seven batters.
The biggest factor in Detmers’ favor is that the Toronto hitters have seen very little of him – and the Blue Jays’ best hitters have been stifled by lefties. Of course, there’s more balance this year with Daulton Varsho, Brandon Belt, and Kevin Kiermaier in the visitors’ dugout.
Meanwhile Kikuchi’s first outing of the year was hugely encouraging for Toronto. He looked more composed on the mound than in a rollercoaster 2022 season and grabbed the win in Kansas City after holding the Royals to just a single run through five innings.
If you’re looking for reasons to pick the Blue Jays to win on the road this afternoon, they’re 5-1 in the teams’ last six meetings in L.A.
Blue Jays vs Angels Over/Under analysis
Even with so much power at the plate for both teams, the 9.5-run line feels a little high this afternoon, with the first game of this series serving up seven runs and last night’s total beefed up by an unsustainable six homers.
The Under has hit in Kikuchi’s last four starts when the opponents have scored five runs or more in their prior game, and his control was markedly better than some of his disastrous 2022 starts.
The numbers trend in a similar direction for L.A., with the Under cashing in for the Angels’ past six outings against a left-handed pitcher – and it’s 4-0-1 in Detmers’ last five home starts against a team with a winning record.
It’s hard to see the Over being a winning ticket today unless the lower half of the Toronto lineup clicks into gear. Outside the top four, the visitors went 0-for-18 last night.
Blue Jays vs Angels game info
| Location: | Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA |
| Date: | Sunday, April 9, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 4:07 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports West, Rogers Sportsnet |
Blue Jays vs Angels betting preview
Starting pitchers
Yusei Kikuchi (1-0, 1.80 ERA): Kikuchi was one of the biggest disappointments for Toronto last season but he seems to be rebounding in style. He was efficient against Kansas City in his first start of 2023, with strikes on 47 of his 69 pitches.
Reid Detmers (0-0, 3.86 ERA): Detmers went 7-6 in 25 starts last season with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. The 23-year-old lefty flashed his strikeout potential with seven Ks against the Mariners on Monday – and, in limited battles, he hasn’t given up any homers to Toronto’s big guns.
Latest injuries
Trend to know
Detmers has been a magnet for low-scoring games when he pitches at Angel Stadium. The Under is 5-0-1 in his last six home starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Angels
