The 14-20 Los Angeles Angels continue their 10-game homestand with Game 2 of a three-game series against the 16-19 Toronto Blue Jays. The May 7 matchup should be a good one, with a pair of former All-Stars taking the mound.
The Angels Have the Momentum Heading Into Game 2
The Angels won the opener 8-3, scoring six runs in the eighth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Yoán Moncada and a solo shot from Jo Adell. Tyler Anderson delivered another strong outing and could become the Angels’ top trade chip at the deadline this summer.
The May 7 pitching matchup features Los Angeles’ Yusei Kikuchi taking on Toronto’s José Berríos. Kikuchi is still chasing his first win of the season against his former team. He enters with a 4.21 ERA, but his control remains a concern. Kikuchi owns an 11.7% walk rate and has allowed 37 hits in 36 innings, giving him a 1.54 WHIP — one of the highest in the league.
Berríos, who has pitched like an ace at times, currently looks more like a mid-rotation arm with a 3.98 ERA. His WHIP isn’t far behind Kikuchi’s at 1.38, but he’s given up just two runs over his last 12 innings in starts against the Yankees and Red Sox.
On the injury front, the Angels are without three-time AL MVP Mike Trout, who’s recovering from a bone bruise in his left knee. The good news is that this IL stint is expected to be shorter than some of his past absences. The bullpen is also banged up, missing closer Kenley Jansen and hard-throwing relievers Ben Joyce and Sam Bachman.
The Blue Jays are mostly healthy, aside from some depth pieces and starting pitcher Max Scherzer, who’s dealing with thumb inflammation.
Offensively, Toronto is led by outfielder George Springer, who’s bounced back to All-Star form. He’s currently top 10 in both batting average (.316) and OPS (.960).
For the Angels, catcher Logan O’Hoppe has stepped up in Trout’s absence, posting a .902 OPS and emerging as one of the game’s top young backstops.
Blue Jays Have the Edge Tonight
The game gives the Angels a chance to build momentum, but they’ll need a strong outing from Kikuchi to keep pace. With Berríos heating up and Toronto’s lineup finding its rhythm, the Blue Jays have the edge. Still, a win tonight could shift the tone of the homestand for Anaheim.
Oddsmakers have Toronto as a 1.5-run favorite, and that seems like a fair call.
The prediction: Blue Jays take this one, 7-4.