Toronto @ Los Angeles picks

The two sides square off in Game 2 of this three-game series, and I'll back the Jays as they face a familiar pitcher in Yusei Kikuchi. Kikuchi is off to a rough start this year, with a 0-4 record and an ERA north of 4. The Jays' familiarity should help their cause, and Berrios appearing to turn a corner (two total runs allowed over his last two starts), I'll take this -120 price with the visitors. 

Yusei Kikuchi has 33 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings and has thrown six innings in four of his seven starts. Kikuchi has gone Over 4.5 Ks in all but one of his outings, a start where he lasted just two innings against the Twins. He bounced back with five Ks in five innings last week. The Blue Jays are one of the better teams at putting the ball in play this season with just 7.29 strikeouts per game, but they punched out 11 times on Tuesday night and 30 times across their last three contests.

Kikuchi is pitching to a 4.98 xERA while surrendering a .259 xBA to opponents. Those rank in the 23rd and 27th percentiles, respectively. His strikeout rate has also dipped this season, sitting at just 20.4%. As a result, he’s not missing a ton of bats and getting barreled up. He ranks in the 14th percentile in average exit velocity and the 23rd in barrel rate. Mix in an Angels bullpen with the second-worst ERA in baseball and I like the Jays' chances to go Over their team total in this one.

When it comes to his batting average talent, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is projected as the 2nd-best batter in baseball by the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is projected to bat 2nd in the batting order today.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks Angel Stadium as the 7th-best park in the game for boosting offensive stats to right-handed batters.. Angel Stadium has the 3rd-lowest average fence height in the league.. Considering Yusei Kikuchi's large platoon split, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will have an enormous advantage batting from the opposite side of the dish in today's game.

Anthony Santander is penciled in 3rd in the batting order in this game.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks Angel Stadium as the 7th-best park in the game for boosting offensive stats to right-handed batters.. Angel Stadium has the 3rd-lowest average fence height in the league.. As a switch-hitter who performs better from the 0 side of the dish, Anthony Santander will have the advantage of batting from from his better side against a pitcher with a large platoon split (Yusei Kikuchi) in today's matchup.. Extreme flyball batters like Anthony Santander tend to perform better against extreme groundball pitchers like Yusei Kikuchi.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects George Springer in the 86th percentile as it relates to his overall offensive ability.. George Springer is projected to hit 4th in the batting order in this matchup.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks Angel Stadium as the 7th-best park in the game for boosting offensive stats to right-handed batters.. Angel Stadium has the 3rd-lowest average fence height in the league.. Because of Yusei Kikuchi's large platoon split, George Springer will have a tremendous advantage batting from the opposite side of the dish in today's game.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Logan O'Hoppe in the 96th percentile when it comes to his home run ability.. Logan O'Hoppe is penciled in 5th in the batting order in this matchup.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks Angel Stadium as the 7th-best park in the game for boosting offensive stats to right-handed batters.. Angel Stadium has the 3rd-lowest average fence height in the league.. Home field advantage typically improves batter metrics across the board, and Logan O'Hoppe will hold that advantage today.

Jorge Soler projects as the 15th-best home run hitter in the game, according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Jorge Soler is penciled in 4th in the batting order in today's game.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks Angel Stadium as the 7th-best park in the game for boosting offensive stats to right-handed batters.. Angel Stadium has the 3rd-lowest average fence height in the league.. Jorge Soler will have the benefit of the home field advantage in today's matchup, which ought to improve all of his stats.

When estimating his overall offensive skill, Taylor Ward ranks in the 92nd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X).. Taylor Ward is penciled in 3rd in the batting order in this matchup.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks Angel Stadium as the 7th-best park in the game for boosting offensive stats to right-handed batters.. Angel Stadium has the 3rd-lowest average fence height in the league.. Extreme flyball batters like Taylor Ward generally hit better against extreme groundball pitchers like Jose Berrios.

Anthony Santander is penciled in 3rd in the batting order in this game.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks Angel Stadium as the 7th-best park in the game for boosting offensive stats to right-handed batters.. Angel Stadium has the 3rd-lowest average fence height in the league.. As a switch-hitter who performs better from the 0 side of the dish, Anthony Santander will have the advantage of batting from from his better side against a pitcher with a large platoon split (Yusei Kikuchi) in today's matchup.. Extreme flyball batters like Anthony Santander tend to perform better against extreme groundball pitchers like Yusei Kikuchi.

Anthony Santander is penciled in 3rd in the batting order in this game.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks Angel Stadium as the 7th-best park in the game for boosting offensive stats to right-handed batters.. Angel Stadium has the 3rd-lowest average fence height in the league.. As a switch-hitter who performs better from the 0 side of the dish, Anthony Santander will have the advantage of batting from from his better side against a pitcher with a large platoon split (Yusei Kikuchi) in today's matchup.. Extreme flyball batters like Anthony Santander tend to perform better against extreme groundball pitchers like Yusei Kikuchi.

When it comes to his batting average talent, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is projected as the 2nd-best batter in baseball by the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is projected to bat 2nd in the batting order today.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks Angel Stadium as the 7th-best park in the game for boosting offensive stats to right-handed batters.. Angel Stadium has the 3rd-lowest average fence height in the league.. Considering Yusei Kikuchi's large platoon split, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will have an enormous advantage batting from the opposite side of the dish in today's game.

When it comes to his batting average talent, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is projected as the 2nd-best batter in baseball by the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is projected to bat 2nd in the batting order today.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks Angel Stadium as the 7th-best park in the game for boosting offensive stats to right-handed batters.. Angel Stadium has the 3rd-lowest average fence height in the league.. Considering Yusei Kikuchi's large platoon split, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will have an enormous advantage batting from the opposite side of the dish in today's game.