by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Jul 27, 2023
Game Time: 7:07 pm ET, Friday, July 28, 2023
Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Angels +190, Blue Jays -225; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Angels +190, Blue Jays -225; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Angels +190, Blue Jays -225; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Season Record
Los Angeles Angels: 52-49 (3rd place, AL West)
Toronto Blue Jays: 57-46 (3rd place, AL East)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Angels: 7-3 last 10
Toronto Blue Jays: 5-5 last 10
Los Angeles Angels vs Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Analysis
The Angels entered their last series off a win and won their 3-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1. They enter this game with a 52-49 record overall and have a road record of 23-26. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Blue Jays on Friday with the series finale and the 2nd game of their series against the Detroit Tigers still to be played on Thursday in a double-header. They also won the series opener of that series on Tuesday. Their offense ranks 4th in the MLB with a .779 OPS. Patrick Sandoval is their starting pitcher on Thursday in game 2 while Lucas Giolito is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 6-6 with a 3.79 ERA this season. His team lost their last 4 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HR, and 3 BB with 9 Ks on 6 hits through 5 IP against the Minnesota Twins.
The Blue Jays are entering this series off a win and won their 3-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 57-46 record overall and have a home record of 27-20. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the LA Angels on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 9th in the MLB with a .750 OPS. Yusei Kikuchi was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Kevin Gausman is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 7-5 with a 3.18 ERA this season. His team lost their last 4 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 4 homers, and 0 BB with 9 strikeouts on 5 hits through 6 innings played against the Seattle Mariners.
Angels vs Blue Jays Prediction
The current betting odds have the Blue Jays listed as a big favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Blue Jays have been getting hot lately as they are starting to climb the standings in the AL East and just rolled over the red hot Dodgers in LA in their last series. The Blue Jays are back at home now where they have been a better team all season and they are going to be looking to continue their run with the Angels struggling so much this year. The Angels do have a really good offense but so do the Blue Jays and the Jays have a better pitching matchup in this game which will help them edge the Angels out here. The Angels are going with Giolito on the mound who is making his 1st start for the Angels after being traded from the White Sox but he was terrible in his last start and has been giving up quite a few runs all season. The Jays offense has been hot lately and they are going to put up runs in this game while the Angels will struggle to put up runs against Gausman who has been the Jays ace this season. Gausman has been a really reliable starter for the Jays all season and hasn't been giving up many runs in his starts lately. He did give up 4 runs in his last start but he will be looking to bounce back at home here and will shut down this Angels offense while the Blue Jays offense carries the load. The best way to place a bet here is on the Blue Jays to win this game.
Angels Blue Jays Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Friday, July 28, 2023 (7:07 pm ET start time) is Blue Jays 7 Angels 3.
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MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles Angels: 18-14 (+4.9 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8 to 8.5. 41-31 (+8.4 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 6-0 OVER as an underdog of +150 or more. 11-3 OVER on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5.
Toronto Blue Jays: 39-31 (-9 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 23-22 (-5.6 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8 to 8.5. KEVIN GAUSMAN is 23-12 OVER at home when the total is 7 to 8.5 and 23-16 OVER in home games.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Angels: B. Joyce (RP) Mid Aug - Hand. M. Trout (CF) Mid Aug - Wrist. Z. Neto (SS) Out Thurs - Back. B. Drury (3B) Early Aug - Shoulder. A. Rendon (3B) Late Aug - Shin. C. Devenski (RP) Out indefinitely - Hamstring. S. Bachman (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. J. Adell (LF) Out indefinitely - Oblique. G. Urshela (3B) out for season - Pelvis. J. Suarez (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. M. Stassi (C) Out indefinitely - Hip. A. Warren (RP) out for season - Elbow. J. Quijada (RP) out for season - Elbow. L. O'Hoppe (C) Late Aug - Shoulder. C. Rodriguez (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder.
Toronto Blue Jays: H. Ryu (SP) Early Aug - Elbow. C. Green (RP) Early Aug - Elbow. A. Cimber (RP) Late Aug - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“That’s a tough one when it hangs. I didn’t play a whole lot of outfield, but I know that’s a very tough play. It should be made. He’ll tell you that, but he made some great catches before that.” - Phil Nevin after his team’s win against the Tigers in their game on Tuesday.
“I'm really proud of them. That's a huge bounce-back win. Tough to win a series against a good team on the road. Did that.” - John Schneider after his team’s win against the LA Dodgers in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Angels
Luis Rengifo (S) 2B
Shohei Ohtani (L) P
Mickey Moniak (L) CF
Taylor Ward (R) LF
Mike Moustakas (L) 3B
Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
Trey Cabbage (L) 1B
Chad Wallach (R) C
Andrew Velazquez (S) SS
Toronto Blue Jays
George Springer (R) RF
Bo Bichette (R) SS
Brandon Belt (L) DH
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
Matt Chapman (R) 3B
Whit Merrifield (R) LF
Daulton Varsho (L) CF
Danny Jansen (R) C
Cavan Biggio (L) 2B
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Angels
Batting Average: Mickey Moniak (.333)
Hits: Shohei Ohtani (112)
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani (36)
RBI: Shohei Ohtani (77)
Stolen Bases: Shohei Ohtani (12)
Wins: Shohei Ohtani (8)
Saves: Carlos Estevez (23)
ERA: Carlos Estevez (1.98)
Toronto Blue Jays
Batting Average: Ernie Clement (.429)
Hits: Bo Bichette (137)
Home Runs: Vladimir Guerrero (17)
RBI: Vladimir Guerrero (65)
Stolen Bases: Whit Merrifield (20)
Wins: Chris Bassitt (10)
Saves: Jordan Romano (28)
ERA: Genesis Cabrera (0.00)
Managers:
Los Angeles Angels: Phil Nevin (2nd season)
Toronto Blue Jays: John Schneider (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
