MLB Predictions: Jays vs Angels Lines
The Los Angeles Angles host the Toronto Blue Jays in the second game of their series at Angel Park on Tuesday night.
Toronto Blue Jays (-) at Los Angeles Angels (-)
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
City: Anaheim, California
O/U Odds: 8.5
Money Line: Los Angeles -155, Toronto +140
Pitching Matchup: RH R.A. Dickey (6-8, 4.10 ERA) at LH Tyler Skaggs (4-4, 4.16 ERA)
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The Angels send out Tyler Skaggs for this contest. He’s been hit or miss in his career as a starter, sometimes looking like a world beater, and other times looking very ordinary. In 26 career starts, he has allowed four or more earned runs 11 times, but has also limited his opponents to two or fewer earned runs 11 times.
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One thing is for sure: the Blue Jays won’t be happy to see him. The Jays have struggled mightily against left-handed pitching of late, thanks in large part to some injuries to key right handed bats. Jose Bautista was lost for a short while, Brett Lawrie’s injury will keep him out for an extended stretch, while the team was forced to place Edwin Encarnacion on the disabled list Monday as he deals with a quad injury.
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That’s good news for Skaggs, who already took care of business in a big way against the Blue Jays in his first start against them. In that outing, Skaggs game up three runs, two of them earned, over eight innings of work, giving up only four hits and not walking a single batter.
His last start was also a good one, as Skaggs allowed only two runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings of work in a start against the Chicago White Sox. Despite his strong outing, Skaggs only came away with a no decision.
R.A. Dickey counters for the Blue Jays. He hasn’t enjoyed pitching on the road this season. He’s compiled a 5-2 record at the Rogers Centre and a 1-6 record on the road this season. Dickey has also struggled against the Angels, going 0-3 with a 7.08 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in his last 13 appearances against them.
The Blue Jays have struggled against southpaws, and Skaggs picks up the ball with his left hand, so that alone presents a problem for the Blue Jays. The Angels have also been hitting the ball very well of late, and given the team’s history when sending out R.A. Dickey on the road, it could be a long night for the Blue Birds.
Additionally, these teams have produced big runs totals when they’ve met in recent years, and given the pitching matchup in this contest, there is a real possibility we’ll see some fireworks in this contest.
The Angels are 10-1 in their last 11 games against a right-handed-starter, while the Blue Jays are 1-8 in Dickey’s last nine starts on the road.
The over is 6-0 in Skaggs’ last six home starts, and it is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings between these teams.
The play: Los Angeles -155, Over 8.5
