Shohei Ohtani, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, leads the Los Angeles Angels (16-14) into Busch Stadium on Wednesday as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals (10-20).
The Angels took Tuesday’s series opener 5-1. Patrick Sandoval got the win, allowing one run on three hits over five innings. Taylor Ward was 1 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in the win. Tyler O’Neill went 1 for 4 with one run for the Cardinals.
ON THE MOUND
Ohtani (4-0, 1.85 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles. The right-hander is tied for third in the AL in strikeouts (46), fourth in ERA, and tied for fourth in wins.
Ohtani allowed five runs over six innings in his last start, an 8-7 road win over the Athletics on Thursday. He was credited with the win, scattering three hits while striking out eight and walking two.
Righty Miles Mikolas (1-1, 5.97 ERA) will toe the rubber for St. Louis. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Angels. In his last start on Thursday, Mikolas got the win on the road against the Giants. He threw 6.1 scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out six and walking two in the 6-0 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Los Angeles has averaged 4.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 5.1. Against righties like Mikolas this season, the Halos have a .722 OPS. Mike Trout is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.008 OPS in 79 at-bats.
St. Louis is averaging only 2.6 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.1 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.213/.271/.293). The Cards have a .726 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .942 OPS over 87 at-bats, Paul Goldschmidt has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 8-9 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. St. Louis has gone 5-9 at Busch Stadium this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.1.
The teams have split their last 10 games at Busch Stadium, though Los Angeles has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.9-5.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Angels are second in the AL West, two games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, 10 games behind the Pirates.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Angels (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
