Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Angels vs Toronto Blue Jays 8/27/22

Alek Manoah, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, leads the way for the Toronto Blue Jays (68-56) as they match up against the Los Angeles Angels (53-73) at Rogers Centre on Saturday. The Angels took Friday’s series opener 12-0, their first head-to-head victory in five games this season. Starter Reid Detmers threw 5.1 scoreless innings for the win. Jo Adell was 4 for 5 with two home runs, three runs, and three RBIs in the win. David Fletcher went 3 for 5 with a double, two runs, and two RBIs. Alejandro Kirk went 1 for 2 with two walks for the Blue Jays.

ON THE MOUND

Shohei Ohtani (10-8, 2.83 ERA) is slated to get the start for Los Angeles. The right-hander ranks fifth in the AL in strikeouts (167). Ohtani allowed three runs over four innings in his last start, a 4-0 road defeat against the Tigers on Sunday. He took the loss, yielding five hits while striking out two and walking four.Ohtani has made one previous start against the Blue Jays this season, a 6-3 home loss on May 26. He surrendered five runs on six hits over six innings, striking out 10 and walking one.For Toronto, righty Manoah (12-6, 2.66 ERA) takes the mound. He has made one prior start against the Angels this season, giving up three runs (2 ER) over six innings in a 4-3 road win on May 27. He gave up seven hits while striking out nine in the no-decision.In his last start on Sunday, Manoah took a no-decision on the road against the Yankees. He threw six innings and gave up two runs (1 ER) on four hits, striking out eight and walking two in the 4-2 loss. The right-hander is tied for third in the AL in wins and fifth in ERA.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Los Angeles has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 3.8. Against righties like Manoah this season, the Halos have a .689 OPS. Ohtani is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .935 OPS in 290 at-bats.Toronto is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.7 for the season. The Jays have a .757 OPS against right-handers in 2022, second highest in the league. With a .864 OPS over 402 at-bats, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Los Angeles is 27-37 on the road in 2022, scoring 3.5 runs per game while allowing 4.0 runs. Toronto has gone 36-26 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. Los Angeles is 7-3 in the last 10 games at Rogers Centre between the teams with an average scoreline of 7.3-4.5.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Angels are fourth in the AL West, 27 games behind the division-leading Astros. The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, nine games behind the Yankees.