The Toronto Blue Jays’ return to Canada was about as successful as you could hope after they went 9-2 during their first homestand at Rogers Arena since 2019.  The Jays are now heading to L.A. to open a four-game set against the Angels, starting with a double-header on Tuesday.  Technically the first game of the game of the double-header is a Blue Jays home game to make up for a postponed game in April.

The Jays are favoured to win on the MLB odds.

Betting Analysis

These teams haven’t met since Toronto dropped two of three games in April against the Angels, but the Jays crushed L.A. 15-1 to end that three-game series.  Two of those three games went Over the total.

Sitting 10 games back of Houston for the division lead, L.A. looks all but done in the chase for the AL West.  They’re 56-56 on the season and are eight games back of the second AL wildcard spot.  The Angels have been fairly successful against the Jays, winning eight of their last 10 games against Toronto.  The total has gone Under in four of L.A.’s last five games.

Toronto is coming off a hugely successful homestand and they’ve now won six of their last seven games.  They’ve hit the Over in 10 of their last 14 games against AL West teams, including four of their last five against the Angels.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels took a beating from the cross-town Dodgers this past weekend, dropping two of three games, including an 8-2 loss on Sunday.  The story of the season continues to be pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani.  The dual threat is a clear favourite to win the AL MVP and is going at -833 on the MLB futures.  Ohtani leads the majors with 37 home runs and is tied for third with 82 RBIs.  In 19 pitching starts, Ohtani has compiled a 6-1 record with a 2.93 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 86 innings.

Chris Rodriguez is expected to get the start on the mound for the first game on Tuesday.  The rookie is getting called-up after being optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake last Wednesday and making his second career big-league start.  After 13 relief appearances in the majors this season, Rodriguez made his first career start against the Rangers last Monday.  In six innings he struck out seven while giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks.  In 25.2 big-league innings, Rodriguez has a 2-1 record with a 3.86 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.

Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto’s bats bailed them out again against Boston on Sunday.  George Springer went 2-for-4 with three RBI, winning the game with a three-run homer, his 14th of the year.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also homered and finished with two hits and two RBI.  Guerrero’s 35 home runs is second-most in the majors, two behind Ohtani.  The Blue Jays lead the American League with 168 home runs and have gone deep at least once in 20 of their last 21 games.

Steven Matz is expected to start the first game of the double-header for Toronto.  The left-hander last pitched on Wednesday in an 8-6 win against Cleveland.  Over six scoreless innings, he struck out eight, allowing six hits and one walk.  It was Matz’s fifth quality start of the year and his highest strikeout total since June 12.  Matz has been inconsistent this season.  He’s pitched 96.1 innings over 19 starts, with a 9-6 record, 4.30 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.

Who Will Win Angels vs. Blue Jays?