Los Angeles Angels vs
Toronto Blue JaysPredictions & Preview

Rookie pitcher Jack Kochanowicz to start for struggling Angels against Blue Jays' veteran Chris Bassitt; Toronto favored to win -199

In the upcoming baseball matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and the Toronto Blue Jays, rookie right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (1-3, 6.53 ERA) will be starting for the struggling Angels. On the other hand, veteran righty Chris Bassitt (9-12, 4.34 ERA) will take the mound for the Blue Jays. The Angels are currently last in the AL West with a 54-73 record, while the Blue Jays are fifth in the AL East with a 59-68 record. Toronto is the favorite to win the game with the current line at Toronto -199.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Angels +178 | Blue Jays -199
• Spread: Angels +1.5 (-121) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+105)
• Total: Over/Under 8.75 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Toronto will win straight-up is 67%.

Los Angeles vs Toronto Stats

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels are struggling offensively, ranking 24th in the league with a .679 team OPS and averaging 3.95 runs per game. However, they excel in stealing bases, ranking 10th in the majors with 102 stolen bases. Shortstop Zach Neto has been a standout performer with a .785 OPS, 19 home runs, 63 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 22 steals. Pitcher Jack Kochanowicz has been struggling with a high exit velocity, xERA, xBA, and hard hit percentage. The team is facing numerous injuries, including key players like Luis Rengifo, Jose Soriano, Mike Trout, and others. With a power ranking of 21, the Angels are ranked 26th in offense, 27th in defense, and have a record of 54-74 for the season.

Toronto Blue Jays Analysis

The Toronto Blue Jays have struggled offensively this season, ranking 15th in MLB with a .704 team OPS and averaging 4.2 runs per game. Their lack of power is evident as they are 24th in home runs with 127. Center fielder Daulton Varsho has been a standout performer with a .704 OPS, 15 homers, 53 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. On the pitching side, Chris Bassitt has had a tough year according to his Baseball Savant metrics, with below-average rankings in various categories. His cutter has been his most effective pitch, holding hitters to a .167 average and .304 slugging percentage. In terms of injuries, important players like Alec Manoah, Jordan Romano, and Bo Bichette are currently sidelined. The Blue Jays have a power ranking of 13 and are ranked 19th in offense and 26th in defense, with an overall record of 60-68. In their recent matchups, the Los Angeles Angels have dominated, winning all three games against Toronto.

Inexperienced Pitchers and Offensive Disparities Point to Toronto Blue Jays Covering the Run Line

Inexperienced pitchers can present challenges, as demonstrated by the statistics. Jack Kochanowicz has shown a significant disparity in performance between his road and home starts with a 1-1 record and 6.94 ERA on the road compared to Chris Bassitt's 6-7 record and 4.67 ERA at home. Additionally, recent offensive performances have shown distinct differences between Los Angeles and Toronto, with Toronto averaging a higher number of runs per game. Based on this analysis, it would be prudent to consider the Toronto Blue Jays to cover the run line in the upcoming game.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]