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(MLB) LA Angels vs. Toronto,
Money Line: -142.00 Toronto (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -142.00 Toronto (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Toronto Blue Jays open a three-game home series against the LA Angels at 70-54, which leaves them tied with the Boston Red Sox atop the AL East, two games up on the Baltimore Orioles. The Blue Jays' lineup is beginning to return to normal, as third baseman Josh Donaldson returned to the lineup Sunday following a two-game absence because of a jammed thumb. Kevin Pillar is expected to be reinstated from the DL after going 6-for-7 with a double and two RBI in two games for Class A Dunedin on a rehabilitation assignment plus Jose Bautista is eligible to return from the DL (sprained left knee) on Thursday, although it's not certain he will be ready for that game. As for the 52-72 Angels, they open this series having lost 10 straight road games, allowing an average of 6.9 runs during their skid.
The pitching matchup: Tyler Skaggs (1-2, 5.19 ERA) takes the mound for the Angels and R.A. Dickey (8-13, 4.51 ERA) does the same for the Blue Jays. Skaggs will be making just his sixth start of the season. He underwent Tommy John surgery back in August 2014 and missed all of 2015. He returned to the mound after this year's All Star break with his first start coming July 26) with seven strong innings in a 13-0 victory at Kansas City. However, he'll enter this game having allowed 15 ERs on 25 hits over 13 2/3 innings over his last three starts (9.88 ERA). Dickey's struggles continue for Toronto. He allowed just one run in five innings in his last outing but took a 1-0 loss at Yankee Stadium on August. He's now 1-4 with a 6.68 ERA in his last six starts (team is 2-4) and he's 2-8 with a 5.57 ERA in 13 home starts in 2016 (Jays are 3-10).
The pick: Toronto has struggled in close games this year, posting a 14-22 record in one-run games, dropping a pair of such contests to AL Central leader Cleveland over the weekend. However, despite Dickey's woes this year, he'll face an Angels team which enters on a 10-game road losing streak (see above details) and Skaggs' recent efforts have been abysmal. I don't expect the Blue Jays to miss this winning opportunity against such a weak opponent and starting pitcher. Toronto is an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Tyler Skaggs (1-2, 5.19 ERA) takes the mound for the Angels and R.A. Dickey (8-13, 4.51 ERA) does the same for the Blue Jays. Skaggs will be making just his sixth start of the season. He underwent Tommy John surgery back in August 2014 and missed all of 2015. He returned to the mound after this year's All Star break with his first start coming July 26) with seven strong innings in a 13-0 victory at Kansas City. However, he'll enter this game having allowed 15 ERs on 25 hits over 13 2/3 innings over his last three starts (9.88 ERA). Dickey's struggles continue for Toronto. He allowed just one run in five innings in his last outing but took a 1-0 loss at Yankee Stadium on August. He's now 1-4 with a 6.68 ERA in his last six starts (team is 2-4) and he's 2-8 with a 5.57 ERA in 13 home starts in 2016 (Jays are 3-10).
The pick: Toronto has struggled in close games this year, posting a 14-22 record in one-run games, dropping a pair of such contests to AL Central leader Cleveland over the weekend. However, despite Dickey's woes this year, he'll face an Angels team which enters on a 10-game road losing streak (see above details) and Skaggs' recent efforts have been abysmal. I don't expect the Blue Jays to miss this winning opportunity against such a weak opponent and starting pitcher. Toronto is an 8* play.
