The Los Angeles Angels (43-37) host the Chicago White Sox (34-46) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Tuesday. The Angels took Monday’s series opener 2-1, their third head-to-head victory in four games this season.
Reliever Carlos Estevez threw one scoreless inning to get the win. Shohei Ohtani went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in the win. Luis Robert Jr. was 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the White Sox.
ON THE MOUND
Michael Kopech (3-6, 4.06 ERA) is set to take the mound for Chicago. The right-hander allowed three runs over four innings in his last start, a 6-3 home defeat against the Rangers on Wednesday.
He took the loss, giving up four hits while striking out five and walking three. Kopech has made one previous start against the Angels this season, a 6-4 home loss on May 29.
He surrendered four runs on five hits over 4.1 innings, striking out 10 and walking two. For Los Angeles, RHP Ohtani (6-3, 3.13 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the White Sox.
Ohtani made one start against the White Sox in 2022, throwing 5.2 innings in a 4-1 home win on June 29. He gave up five hits and walked one while striking out 11 in the win.
In his last start on Wednesday, Ohtani took the loss at home against the Dodgers. He threw seven innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out 12 and walking two in the 2-0 defeat. The righty ranks third in the AL in strikeouts (117).
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged only 2.8 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.0, partially due to poor on-base performance (.241 vs .291). Against right-handed pitchers like Ohtani this season, the Sox have a .673 OPS, the fourth lowest in the league.
Robert Jr. is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .814 OPS in 230 at-bats. Los Angeles is averaging 6.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.0 for the season, with a higher slash line (.309/.376/.526).
The Halos have a .776 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the fifth highest in the league. With a 1.030 OPS over 219 at-bats, Ohtani has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 14-26 away from home in 2023, scoring 3.9 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Los Angeles has gone 21-16 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.5.
In the last 10 games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim between the teams, Los Angeles is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.3-4.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, six games behind the division-leading Twins. The Angels are third in the AL West, five games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Angels (-190)
Want up to a $1K risk-free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information, and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
