The Toronto Blue Jays will try to salvage the final game of their three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.
Toronto suffered yet another late-inning meltdown Wednesday to drop its fourth straight game and fall four games below .500. It took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning, but closer Jeff Hoffman was scorched by the Angels for the second consecutive night, as he loaded the bases and then allowed Jorge Soler to lift a walk-off double down the left-field line.
With Wednesday’s win, the Angels have secured their first series victory since April 20, and they now have the opportunity for their first sweep of the season.
Let’s dive into the game odds for Thursday’s series finale between the Blue Jays and Angels courtesy of bet365.
Blue Jays vs. Angels odds
Blue Jays moneyline odds | -125 |
Angels moneyline odds | +105 |
Runline odds | Blue Jays -1.5 (+130), Angels +1.5 (-155) |
Game total | Over 8 runs (-115), Under 8 (-105) |
Date/Time | May 8, 9:38 p.m. ET |
About the Blue Jays (16-20 SU, 21-15 ATS, 16-20 o/u)
Hoffman has been a shining star for the Blue Jays this season, but back-to-back implosions against the Angels have ballooned his ERA to 4.24 after he posted a 1.35 mark in April. He’s been tagged for six earned runs on three hits over his last two outings against Los Angeles, including a pair of homers. Setup man Yimi Garcia is also struggling, surrendering seven earned runs over his last two appearances, which has spelled disaster for Toronto’s shorthanded bullpen that’s already been missing Erik Swanson, another key high-leverage arm, all season due to a forearm issue.
Toronto also hasn’t been able to consistently put runs on the board, being held to four runs or fewer in four straight games and five of its last six. The team is averaging just 3.53 runs per game this season, which ranks 25th in the majors. And the Blue Jays rank dead last in home runs with just 25 through 36 games.
About the Angels (15-20 SU, 14-21 ATS, 19-15-1 o/u)
The Angels hadn’t scored more than five runs in a game since April 10th, but they’ve now surpassed that mark in back-to-back games against the Blue Jays in come-from-behind fashion. Yoan Moncada and Kyren Paris went deep for the Angels on Wednesday, and Soler won the game with his three-RBI double in the ninth inning, so they have some offensive momentum coming into the series finale on Thursday. They’ve launched 49 home runs this season, which ranks fifth in the majors. That’s an impressive tally, seeing as All-Star outfielder Mike Trout hasn’t played this month due to a knee injury.
It should be noted for in-game bettors that the Angels have one of the worst bullpens in the league, sporting an ugly 7.01 ERA across 114 innings. Opposing batters are hitting a lofty .314 off of the unit.
Probable starting pitchers
Toronto: RHP Chris Bassitt (2-2, 2.95 ERA, 9.76 K/9)
After a blistering start to the season, Bassitt has allowed three or more earned runs in three straight starts to somewhat fall back to reality. His 9.76 K/9 mark is also due for some regression, as he’s averaged well below a strikeout per inning over that span. However, he’s done an elite job of limiting walks, issuing just five free passes over his last six starts. He allowed four earned runs over six innings of work when he took the hill in his only outing against the Angels last season.
Los Angeles: RHP Jose Soriano (2-4, 3.83 ERA, 6.98 K/9)
The Blue Jays can expect to see a healthy diet of hard sinkers when they face Soriano on Thursday night. He throws the pitch just over 50% of the time, and it has helped him rank in the 97th percentile in ground-ball percentage (64.5%). Soriano throws hard, averaging 96.6 mph on his sinker, and he’s also had incredible success throwing his splitter against left-handed batters, who are hitting just .083 against it. The righty threw six scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers last time out.
Notable injuries
Anthony Rendon (hip) and outfielder Trout (knee) are on the injured list for the Angels. Outfielder Gustavo Campero is also day-to-day with an ankle injury.
As for the Blue Jays, pitchers Ryan Burr (shoulder), Swanson (forearm), Nick Sandlin (lat), and Max Scherzer (thumb) are all on the injured list. Second baseman Andres Gimenez is also day-to-day with right quad tightness.
Weather
It should be an awesome night for baseball in Anaheim, with temperatures expected around 22 C under clear skies. Winds will blow gently out to centre field at 7 mph.
Blue Jays vs. Angels betting trends
- The over is 7-1 in the Angels’ last eight games.
- The Blue Jays have hit the team total under in 13 of their last 17 road games.
- The Blue Jays have hit the first five innings team total under in seven straight road games.
Blue Jays vs. Angels player prop trends
- Angels shortstop Zach Neto will carry a 12-game hitting streak into action Thursday. He’s -190 to get another hit.
- Paris has beaten his mark of over 0.5 hits + runs + RBIs in five straight games and is -150 to accomplish that feat again Thursday.
- Moncada has homered in back-to-back games since being activated off the IL and is +560 to go deep in a third straight contest.
Blue Jays vs. Angels best bet
First five innings total under 4.5 runs: -109 for one unit (best odds @ Pinnacle). These two soft-hitting teams were both held scoreless through five innings on Wednesday, and they combined for four runs through five innings in the series opener. I like that low-scoring trend to continue here with a decent starting pitching matchup, but you can’t trust either of these struggling bullpens, so stay away from the full-game total of 8 runs. Toronto has averaged 1.86 runs per game over the first five innings this year, while Los Angeles isn’t much better at 2.09.