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MLB Betting Preview (Aug. 12): Blue Jays vs. Angels predictions
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gets ready in the dugout before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium
Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Warren
Aug 12, 2024, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 12, 2024, 11:24 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays will kick off a six-game road trip on Monday in Los Angeles when they take on the Angels.
Toronto dropped two of three games to the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre over the weekend after taking two of three from the Baltimore Orioles in its previous series.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, managed just one win in its three-game series with the Nationals in Washington over the weekend. Prior to that, the Angels had notched impressive series wins over both the New York Yankees and Mets.
This will be the first meeting of the season between these two teams.
Let’s dive into the game odds for Monday’s series opener between the Blue Jays and Angels courtesy of bet365:

Blue Jays vs. Angels odds

Blue Jays Moneyline Odds
-110
Angels Moneyline Odds
-110
Runline Odds
Angels -1.5 (+180), Blue Jays +1.5 (-220)
Over/Under
Over 9 runs (-115), Under 9 runs (-105)
Time/Date
Aug. 12, 9:38 p.m. ET
TV
Broadcast: Sportsnet, Sportsnet+

Betting Toronto Blue Jays (54-64 SU, 58-60 ATS, 64-51-3 o/u)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 0-for-4 during Sunday’s 8-4 loss to the A’s to halt his hitting streak at an impressive 22 games. Vlad hit a blistering .494 with 10 homers and 22 RBIs during the run, which tied his career high for consecutive games with a hit (22 – 2022). He’ll have a chance to begin a new hitting streak on Monday against the Angels, a team he’s historically struggled against (.219/.342/.313 slash line in 26 career games).
Unfortunately, Toronto sits 10 games below .500 with 44 left to play, well out of playoff contention in the American League. The emphasis will continue to be on auditioning young players for roles next season.

Betting Los Angeles Angels (52-66 SU, 69-49 ATS, 56-56-6 o/u)

Just like the Blue Jays, the Angels aren’t playing for anything down the stretch. Los Angeles, which last qualified for the postseason in 2014, is enduring another lost season that went up in flames when superstar outfielder Mike Trout succumbed to a season-ending injury way back in April.
The Angels rank 23rd in runs per game (4.1), 24th in runs allowed per game (4.8), and their pitching staff ranks 26th in team ERA (4.49). This team doesn’t do anything particularly well statistically, except for stealing bases (101 – eighth). Luis Renfigo leads the team with 24 thefts, three ahead of Zach Neto.

Probable starting pitchers

Toronto: RHP Bowden Francis (4-3, 5.44 ERA, 7.79 K/9, 1.39 WHIP)
Francis is coming off a very impressive outing against the powerful Orioles, holding them to two earned runs on three hits while striking out seven batters over five innings. It was his second straight start against the O’s, who managed just three runs off him in the first showdown. This is a vital time for him to prove to the Blue Jays he can be a mainstay in the rotation for the rest of the season, so motivation will be high heading into this start.
Los Angeles: RHP Davis Daniel (1-3, 6.04 ERA, 8.17 K/9, 1.38 WHIP)
Daniel was initially slated to pitch Sunday for the Angels, but they elected to push him back a day after he threw over 80 pitches last Wednesday against the Yankees. He wasn’t sharp in that outing, allowing five runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings. The right-hander relies heavily on location and movement with his fastball which averages just 91 mph. He throws it roughly 50% of the time and will also mix in a slider, curveball and changeup.

Weather

It should be an ideal night for outdoor baseball, with temperatures around 24 C expected under clear skies. Winds will be blowing out to centre field at 8 mph.

MLB betting trends

  • The Blue Jays have covered the runline in 24 of their last 37 road games.
  • The Angels are 37-24 on the runline at home this season.
  • The over is 13-5 in Toronto’s last 18 games.

MLB player prop trends

  • Angels outfielder Taylor Ward has hit safely in seven straight games, including three straight multi-hit performances. He’s -185 to record over 0.5 hits.
  • Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak has recorded over 0.5 total bases in four of his last five games and 14 of his last 20. He’s -180 to exceed the mark on Monday.

Blue Jays vs. Angels predictions

  • Guerrero Jr. went hitless Sunday, but he’s still swinging the hottest bat in baseball right now. Back him to record over 1.5 total bases at -115 odds against Daniel, who is allowing right-handed batters to hit a lofty .354 off him this season.
  • Under 9 runs: -105. This is a tough travel spot for both the Blue Jays and Angels. Both teams were forced to travel from the East Coast to the West Coast late on Sunday, so it’s very possible we see some slumping and tired offences here on Monday night. Francis and Daniel will also have the element of surprise, having never faced the opposition in their careers. It’s very possible we see a low-scoring ball game here.

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