The Shohei Ohtani trade rumors may have cooled off, but the L.A. Angels now need an extended hot streak to crash a loaded AL wild-card pack, which includes Saturday’s opponents, the Toronto Blue Jays.
It’s really playoffs-or-bust for the Angels entering the last two months of the season, but they’re finishing July on an upward swing. They’ve posted an 8-2 mark over their last 10 games despite losing last night’s series opener, in which Ohtani smashed his MLB-leading 39th dinger of the year but exited late with cramps.
The Blue Jays, loosely linked as an Ohtani suitor, rode three home runs to win yesterday, with Kevin Gausman’s nine strikeouts setting the tone. This is a crucial stretch for Toronto too, with the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles on deck next week.
Find out more in our free MLB picks and predictions for Angels vs Blue Jays on July 29.
Angels vs Blue Jays odds
Angels vs Blue Jays predictions
No one could have envisioned the grueling journey that Alek Manoah has been on this year, but Toronto is still hoping that he rounds into form for a postseason push. His last start, on the road against the Seattle Mariners, was a step in the right direction, getting through 5.1 innings with six Ks and giving up three runs on three hits.
As unpredictable as Manoah has been this year, I’m going with the Blue Jays this afternoon — perhaps more so because the offense has found a higher gear over the past week. With 37 runs over their last six games, the hosts are taking their opportunities in a way they haven’t for much of the 2023 season.
Whit Merrifield, Danny Jansen, and Bo Bichette are swinging the bat well, accounting for three of Toronto’s RBIs last night and playing big roles in Wednesday’s 8-1 win to clinch the road series against the L.A. Dodgers.
Of course, though, much rests on Manoah’s shoulders. Can he settle early? Can he find the control to cut down his walks? The Blue Jays don’t need him to go deep into the game necessarily, but I see him following up the steady outing in Seattle with another encouraging start.
In a small sample size, Manoah has pitched well against the Angels and I’m counting on Toronto providing enough run support to eek out a win here.
My best bet: Blue Jays moneyline (-129 at SIA)
Angels vs Blue Jays same-game parlay
Toronto moneyline
Alt-Total: Over 8.5 runs
Merrifield Over 1.5 bases
After a low-scoring series opener, I expect more runs this afternoon and I’m taking a little more wiggle room with the Over on the alternate 8.5 total. Neither starter has pitched like an ace this year and the Blue Jays, in particular, have been more ruthless lately.
Whit Merrifield has been a big part of Toronto’s free-scoring stretch and he’s coming off a three-hit effort last night on the heels of a three-run homer against the Dodgers in midweek. He’s got two hits off L.A. starter Detmers in seven previous at-bats, including a double, and there’s every chance he’ll continue in the lead-off spot this afternoon.
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Angels vs Blue Jays moneyline and Over/Under analysis
Both teams will be feeling uneasy as they look at the AL standings, but the Angels’ all-in approach ahead of the trade deadline (taking Ohtani off the trade market and dealing for Lucas Giolito) has especially cranked up the pressure. With Manoah and Reid Detmers working through uneven seasons, the oddmakers have installed the Blue Jays as slight favorites here.
That may feel like a leap of faith given that Manoah’s ERA is still north of 6 and the Angels have been turning the corner lately, but there are question marks over Ohtani’s fitness after leg cramps last night and this L.A. lineup is still missing the spark of the injured Mike Trout.
Meanwhile, Toronto has won four of its last five contests and they tagged Detmers for five runs back in April — admittedly all in the sixth inning after the Angels lefty dominated the first five frames. The hosts actually have a slightly higher batting average against lefties (.270) than righties this year.
The Over/Under line has been pumped up to 9.5 with less stability on the mound and both teams hitting well (with the exception of last night). It’s hard to argue with that logic in what feels like a high-scoring battle.
The Angels had scored six or more runs in four straight games before running into a Gausman masterclass — and they’ve hit the Over on their team total in 14 of their last 19 outings.
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Trend to know
he Blue Jays have consistently found an early rhythm over the past few weeks, cashing in the first five innings moneyline in nine of their last 13 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Angels vs. Blue Jays
Angels vs Blue Jays game info
| Location: | Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Saturday, July 29, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 3:07 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MLB Network |
Starting pitchers
Reid Detmers (2-7, 4.38 ERA): Detmers put together outstanding June numbers, including a 2.05 ERA, but he’s taken a step back this month. While he had nine Ks last time out against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he gave up six hits in a 3-0 loss. Two weeks earlier, he was chased in the fourth inning against the Dodgers after allowing seven runs.
Alek Manoah (2-8, 6.10 ERA): This is Toronto’s last chance to assess Manoah before the trade deadline. He looked more poised against the Mariners last weekend, but his prior start was an ugly three-inning, 92-pitch effort against the San Diego Padres. When he locates his fastball, the rest of his arsenal often seems to fall into place.
