The Los Angeles Angels try to bounce back from a series-opening loss to the Seattle Mariners when the teams play again on Saturday night. The matchup between AL West rivals is set to start at 9:10 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
The Angels dropped the series opener, 7-4, for their second loss in three games. Los Angeles is 12-12 and in fourth place in the AL West, one game behind the third-place Houston Astros.
Seattle has won two in a row and is 15-12, trailing the first-place Oakland Athletics by a game. The Mariners have won four of their last six at T-Mobile Park.
The MLB odds for this one have the Angels with a -133 moneyline, while the Mariners are listed at +123. The over/under has been set at 8½ runs.
Hoping For Better
Right-hander Griffin Canning is on the mound for this one hoping for a better result than his last start. Facing the Astros on the road last Saturday, Canning went just 2⅓ innings, allowing six runs on six hits, including two home runs, to fall to 1-2 with an 8.40 ERA.
The 24-year-old is making his fourth start and fifth appearance. He’s allowed at least two earned runs and one home run in each of his appearances this season and has struck out 17 while walking five.
Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani had a home run in Friday night’s loss, giving him a team-high eight on the season. Ohtani also leads the club with 19 RBI while hitting six doubles and two triples and batting .283.
Centerfielder Mike Trout has been heating up, going 9-for-17 at the plate with three doubles and two RBI over the last four games. Trout has six home runs and 14 RBI on the season and seems fine after missing two games last weekend with a bruised elbow.
Surprising Start
The Mariners weren’t expected to contend for the AL West title, but they’re right in the thick of things. They’re doing it despite a .210 team batting average that ranks 28th in baseball.
Ty France is leading the way with a .289 average, hitting eight doubles and three home runs while knocking in 13. He’s also tied for the team lead in runs scored with 18.
Kyle Seager has a team-best 20 RBI to go with nine doubles, a triple, and four home runs. Mitch Haniger has hit a team-high six home runs and is tied with France with 18 RBI.
On the mound will be right-hander Ljay Newsome, making his first start. Newsome has appeared in four games, compiling a 1-0 record with a 1.69 ERA.
The 24-year-old had four starts in five appearances a season ago, finishing 0-1 with a 5.17 ERA. In 2021, he’s pitched a total of 10⅔ innings, striking out 11 and walking just one.
Angels Get Even
The Mariners are piecing things together but could run into trouble in this one with a young pitcher making his first start of the year. Los Angeles has an experienced lineup that could make things difficult for Newsome.
Canning has certainly had his own troubles this season, but he should be able to put it together for this one. When doing your MLB betting, take the Angels to get the win on the road.
