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Blue Jays vs Angels Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks April 9
Series Win on the Line
Blue Jays, Angels Look To Secure Early Season Series
The Toronto Blue Jays were an early projected playoff team, but the Los Angeles Angels were not.
But MLB playoff odds have shifted as the Angels now lead the American League West, and the Blue Jays are bunched with eight teams within a game on either side of their record.
When the old adage “every game counts” is brought up in a 162-game season, this is why. These wins could separate teams when the calendar turns to October.
Blue Jays Hope Defense Supports Its Offense
The Toronto Blue Jays have had a great offensive burst. They are 14th in scoring 4.91 runs per game, third with a .286 batting average, and 13th with a .766 OPS. But they are a game better than .500 because the pitching hasn’t been there.
The Blue Jays allow 5.49 runs per game, which is 22nd, and 1.52 home runs per game, which is 21st.
Veteran lefty Yusei Kikuchi was a bright spot the first time through the order going five innings and allowing one run on three hits to earn a win. Another performance like that would help the Blue Jays secure a series win and improve their MLB lines moving forward.
Despite having a dome, the Blue Jays have yet to play at home and are 5-4 on over/unders to start the season.
Angels Hope To Continue Early Season Dominance
The Los Angeles Angels made MLB news when their stars, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, made a proclamation that they needed to be in the playoffs in 2023 after an electric World Baseball Classic. The team has not been in eight seasons, and Ohtani is due to be a free agent at the season’s end.
So far, the Angels are sixth in scoring 5.79 runs per game and allowing 3.73 runs per game. Though the offense is only 23rd in hitting .234 and 17th with a .721 OPS. The pitching staff, though, is ninth in holding teams to a .232 average and 10th with a .690 OPS allowed.
Reid Detmers looks to improve after he allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks to go with seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings in his season debut. The Angels are 1-1 at home and 4-4 on over/unders.
Blue Jays vs Angels Game Injuries
Blue Jays vs Angels Head-to-Head
The Los Angeles Angels have a slight edge in the series all time. They have 225 wins, while the Toronto Blue Jays have 218 wins in the regular season. Scores and odds show each team swept a regular season series on the road last season, but the Blue Jays took it overall, 4-3.
Recent trends show the Blue Jays are 5-1 in the last six games in Anaheim, but 1-4 in the last five meetings, regardless of location. The over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Anaheim and 8-3 in the last 11 meetings, regardless of location.
Blue Jays vs Angels Game Information
- Game: Blue Jays (5-4) vs Angels (5-3)
- Location: Angel Stadium
- Day/Time: Sunday, April 9, 4 p.m. ET
- Blue Jays vs Angels Live Stream:MLB.tv
Blue Jays vs Angels Betting Lines
Blue Jays vs Angels Picks & Prediction
Detmers can be an electric pitcher and has a no-hitter to his name. His swing-and-miss stuff is a great advantage for the Los Angeles Angels, but he can be wild at times, too. Meanwhile, Kikuchi is a savvy veteran and does not strike out as many hitters as he used to.
Of course, the Angels have two of the best hitters in baseball, but early MLB picks like the Blue Jays, with 53% of early moneyline bets on Toronto and 56% of over/under bets are on the over. We also like the MLB odds for the slight underdogs despite Detmers’ great stuff.
Part of that is the pop behind the Blue Jays lineup, which features mostly right-handed hitters. That should be a catalyst for an offense that is expected to be among the best in baseball, with guys like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette leading the way.
