Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Seattle Mariners 9/18/22

The Los Angeles Angels (63-82) host the Seattle Mariners (80-64) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Sunday. The Angels lead the series 2-0 after winning 2-1 on Saturday, their ninth head-to-head victory in 17 games this season. Shohei Ohtani threw seven scoreless innings- striking out eight – to get the win, and Aaron Loup earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Ohtani went 1 for 2 with a double, one run, and one RBI in the win. Taylor Trammell was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Mariners.

ON THE MOUND

Marco Gonzales (10-13, 3.98 ERA) is slated for the start for Seattle. The LHP allowed one run over six innings in his last start, an 8-7 road win over the Braves on September 11. He scattered two hits while striking out five in the no-decision. Over two previous starts against the Angels this season, Gonzales has allowed five earned runs over 12 innings (1-1, 3.75). He has struck out 12 and walked five. LHP Reid Detmers (5-5, 3.82 ERA) will take the mound for Los Angeles. He has made one prior start against the Mariners this season, giving up one runs over seven innings in a 7-1 road win on August 6. He gave up six hits and walked one, while striking out seven in the win. In his last start on Monday, Detmers took a no-decision on the road against the Guardians. He threw five innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking two in the 5-4 loss.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Seattle has averaged 4.4 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.2. Against southpaws like Detmers this season, the M’s have a .709 OPS. Eugenio Suarez is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a .928 OPS in 120 at-bats. Los Angeles is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 3.8 for the season. The Halos have a .661 OPS against left-handers in 2022, fifth lowest in the league. With a 1.115 OPS over 97 at-bats, Mike Trout has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Seattle is 41-32 on the road in 2022, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 3.9 runs. Los Angeles has gone 33-40 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. Seattle is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Angel Stadium of Anaheim with an average scoreline of 4.9-4.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Mariners are second in the AL West, 14 games behind the division-leading Astros. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero. The Angels are third in the AL West, 31 games behind the Astros.