The Los Angeles Angels and the Pittsburgh Pirates will meet in Anaheim for their interleague series finale this Sunday from Angel Stadium. Pittsburgh struck back by shutting LAA out in game two, 3-0.
Pirates Betting Preview
Pittsburgh comes in at 43-55 after dropping two of three to Cleveland. The Pirates got a strong defensive effort to get back into the win column, and they’ll attempt to win their first series of the month Sunday. The Pittsburgh offense is scoring 4.11 runs per game, while batting .243, with a .321 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.34 ERA, with a 1.39 WHIP. Bryan Reynolds collected multiple hits in the game two victory, and he’s leading the Pirates in hits (83), with 46 RBI. Carlos Santana doubled and brought in a run against the Angels, and he’s posting a line of .228/9/46. Jack Suwinski homered in the game one loss, and he’s first on the team in home runs (20) and RBI (51).
Mitch Keller (9-5, 3.73 ERA, 130 Ks) will pitch for Pittsburgh. The fifth-year pitcher was rocked in his return to action against Cleveland last week, allowing a season-worse eight runs in six innings en route to his fifth loss of the year. Keller has improved a lot this season, even earning his first career All-Star nod, but he’s shown vulnerability at times. Keller’s first two trips to California haven’t gone particularly well either, as he allowed four runs in Los Angeles and San Francisco, he’ll look to bounce back from a rough first game back here in Anaheim on Sunday.
Angels Betting Preview
Los Angeles moved to 50-49 after losing to Pittsburgh. The Angels had their four-game win streak snapped after failing to get anything in game two, and they’ll look to respond Sunday. The LAA offense is scoring 4.16 runs per game, while batting .252, with a .331 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.33 ERA, with a 1.27 WHIP. Shohei Ohtani earned the winning decision and scored a pair of runs in the game one victory, and he first on LAA in hits (111), with team-leading splits of .302/35/76. Mike Trout, Brandon Drury, and Gio Urshela remain out, leaving holes in the Halo lineup, but they’ve managed to receive support elsewhere. Hunter Renfroe snapped a five-game hitless streak with a double in game two, and he’s third on the team with fifteen homers and 42 RBI. Taylor Ward homered in Friday’s win over Pittsburgh, he’s posting a line of .249/12/40.
Tyler Anderson (4-2, 5.17 ERA, 73 Ks) will take the mound for Los Angeles. The eighth-year lefty had a short outing against Houston last week, striking out five through three innings, while allowing just one run. Anderson’s success did travel with him from Los Angeles to Anaheim over the offseason, but he pitched well versus the Astros last week, and he’ll look to go deeper into the ball game here. Anderson hasn’t dropped a start at Angel Stadium yet this season, and he’s allowed two runs or less in four of his last five home spots.
Pittsburgh vs Anaheim Trends
Pittsburgh is 45-53 against the spread this season, with a 50-44-4 O/U record. LA Angels are 46-53 ATS this year, with a 47-45-7 over/under record.
Corey’s Free Pick
Pittsburgh holds a pitching advantage that’s capable enough to sway the ball game, but Sunday feels like it could be a Shohei day. After being shutout in game two, the Angels should have a bit of urgency to right the ship swiftly going into this contest, as the trade deadline only looms closer. The pressure is on in Anaheim, and it’s now or never for the franchise. Back the Angels to take this interleague series finale.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
