Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels: Odds, Prediction
The Angels opened as -125 favourites on the MLB odds.
Betting Analysis
Could the Blue Jays be bidders for Shohei Ohtani this offseason? The Japanese dual-threat star of the Angels is expected to command the first $500 million contract (US) in major North American pro sports history this winter as a free agent whether he leaves the Angels or not. Most believe he will leave – for the crosstown Dodgers – if the Halos miss the playoffs yet again. When Ohtani first came from Japan, he preferred to play on the West Coast, and it’s thought that remains the case.
In a weird quirk, the Blue Jays swept four games in Anaheim last season but were swept three at home by the Angels. Ohtani hit .286 in the series with three homers and eight RBIs. Mike Trout was at .233 with three homers and six RBIs. Bo Bichette hit .345 with a homer for Toronto. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was at just . 154 with six strikeouts.
Toronto Blue Jays
This 10-game road trip is tied for the longest to kick off a campaign in team history as the Jays also had a 10-game trip in 1984. It’s only the third trip of at least 10 games to begin a season by any team in the last 20 years. This was intentional as renovations are being completed at Rogers Centre. This winter, the Jays signed Mets right-hander Chris Bassitt to a three-year, $63 million (US) free-agent contract, and perhaps he was trying to hard to live up to that deal as Bassitt was obliterated in St. Louis on Sunday, allowing a career-high nine runs and 10 hits (four homers) over 3.1 innings. Bassitt’s average fastball was down 1.7 mph from last year. He didn’t face the Angels in 2022. Mike Trout is 7-for-17 career off him with two doubles and a homer. Shohei Ohtani is 4-for-22 with a double, triple and homer. The Blue Jays are 11-3 in their last 14 series-opening games.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels will have their full bullpen available because they were off Thursday. LA won two of three in Oakland and two of three in Seattle to open the season and this is obviously their home opener. Taylor Ward has been raking in the early going, batting .370 with two homers and six RBIs. Mike Trout is at .368 with a homer, and Shohei Ohtani .286 with two homers. Logan O’Hoppe is an early name to monitor for AL Rookie of the Year as he has two homers and eight RBIs. It’s lefty Patrick Sandoval scheduled to pitch Friday. He had a career-best 2.91 ERA last year in 27 starts and won his 2023 debut, allowing one run over five in Oakland. George Springer is 1-for-7 career off him and Matt Chapman 0-for-7. No Blue Jays player has homered off Sandoval. The Angels are 6-2 in their past eight series openers.
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