The Los Angeles Angels (42-37), one of the best offenses in the AL, are set to host the Chicago White Sox (34-45) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Monday for the opener of a four-game series. The White Sox are playing their first of seven games on the road after wrapping up a six-game homestand (3-3).
They won two out of three in their last series against the Red Sox, taking the finale 4-1 on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Luis Robert Jr. was 3 for 4 with two home runs and three RBIs.The Angels are back home for a seven-game homestand.
They lost two of three against the Rockies in their last series, dropping the finale 4-3 on Sunday at Coors Field. Shohei Ohtani went 2 for 4 with a triple, one run, and one RBI. Eduardo Escobar added a triple and one run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Angels have won two of three in the season series between the teams, including a 12-5 victory in their most recent meeting on May 31 at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Jaime Barria got the win, giving up one run on four hits over five innings and striking out six, and Tucker Davidson threw three innings to earn his second save.
ON THE MOUND
Dylan Cease (3-3, 4.22 ERA) is set to get the start for Chicago. The righty allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 7-6 home win over the Rangers on Tuesday. He gave up five hits while striking out nine and walking two in the no-decision.
Cease is making his first appearance against the Angels this season. Cease made one start against the Angels in 2022, a 3-0 home victory on May 2. He allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings, striking out 11.
For Los Angeles, lefty Reid Detmers (1-5, 4.02 ERA) is on the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the White Sox.
In his last start on Tuesday, Detmers took a no-decision at home against the Dodgers. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 2-0 loss.
AT THE PLATE
The Chicago offense is averaging 4.1 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .235/.292/.391.
Robert Jr. leads the team in OPS at .856. The center fielder is slashing .262/.320/.535 with 21 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 51 runs over 76 games.
Against left-handed pitchers like Detmers this season, the Sox have a .719 OPS. Robert Jr. also is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.183 OPS in 57 at-bats.
Los Angeles is slashing .259/.334/.444 for the season and averaging 5.0 runs per game, third-best in the American League. Ohtani leads the team with a .994 OPS.
He has 25 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 52 runs scored with a slash line of .294/.376/.618. Los Angeles is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.305/.372/.514).
The Halos have a .780 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the fourth highest in the league. With a 1.026 OPS over 215 at-bats, Ohtani also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 14-25 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Los Angeles has gone 20-16 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.6. In the last 10 games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim between the teams, Los Angeles is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.3-5.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, six games behind the division-leading Twins. The Angels are second in the AL West, six games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago White Sox (+115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
