The Los Angeles Angels (23-22) face a tough test against Joe Ryan at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Friday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the Minnesota Twins (24-20) for the opener of a three-game series.
The Twins are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Dodgers, dropping the finale 7-3 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
Byron Buxton was 1 for 3 with a solo home run, extending his on-base streak to 19 games. The Angels are playing the first of nine games at home after concluding a seven-game road trip (3-4).
They split their last series against the Orioles, taking the finale 6-5 on Thursday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mike Trout went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs.
Luis Rengifo went 3 for 4 with two runs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Angels won four of the six games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Target Field in September.
ON THE MOUND
Ryan (6-1, 2.16 ERA) is in line to start for Minnesota. The RHP is tied for second in the AL in wins and third in ERA. Ryan threw six scoreless innings in his last start, an 11-1 road win over the Cubs on Saturday. He got the win, giving up four hits while striking out 10 and walking one.
Ryan made one start against the Angels in 2022, an 8-4 home victory on September 24. He surrendered three runs on four hits over four innings, striking out five and walking three. For Los Angeles, LHP Reid Detmers (0-3, 4.89 ERA) will toe the rubber.
Detmers made two appearances against the Twins in 2022, both as the starter, striking out 11 and walking three over nine innings (0-1, 6.00).
In his last start on Saturday, Detmers took a no-decision on the road against the Guardians. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out three and walking two in the 8-6 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Minnesota offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .231/.309/.408. Buxton leads the team in OPS at .834. The center fielder is slashing .236/.341/.493 with nine home runs, 21 RBIs, and 28 runs over 40 games.
Over the last five games, however, Minnesota has averaged 8.6 runs a game while performing better across the board (.317/.376/.583). Against southpaws like Detmers this season, the Twins have a .665 OPS, third lowest in MLB. Carlos Correa is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .781 OPS in 30 at-bats.
Los Angeles is slashing .259/.327/.419 for the season and averaging 5.1 runs per game. Shohei Ohtani leads the team with ann .888 OPS.
He has 10 home runs, 31 RBIs, and 26 runs scored with a slash line of .288/.361/.528. The Halos have a .741 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .931 OPS over 116 at-bats, Trout has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 10-12 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 3.6 runs. Los Angeles has gone 10-9 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim this season, averaging 5.5 runs per game while surrendering 5.7.
The teams have split their last 10 games head-to-head at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, though Minnesota has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.7-4.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by three games over the Tigers. The Angels are third in the AL West, four games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-130)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
