Rays vs Angels Prediction - MLB Picks 8/19/23

Zach Eflin (12-7, 3.67 ERA, 84 Ks) will take the hill for Tampa Bay in game two. The eighth-year righty didn’t pitch well against Cleveland last time out at home, giving up six runs in just three innings pitched. Elfin has been solid overall this season, holding teams to three runs or less in eight of his last eleven outings, and he’ll look to put the contest with Cleveland behind him here. 

Rays Player Trends & Props

Yandy Diaz has recorded multiple hits in four of the last six games, and he leads Tampa in batting (.322) and hits (129), with 16 home runs and 60 RBI.

Josh Lowe went yard in the game three victory in San Francisco, and he’s posting nice splits of .272/15/59.

Randy Arozarena has returned to form by recording a hit in nine of his last ten games, and he’s second on the team with eighteen homers and 68 runs batted in. 

Isaac Paredes leads the Rays in home runs (23) and RBI (70). 

Angels Preview & Projected Starter 

Los Angeles moved to 60-62 after losing to Tampa. The Angels suffered another late-game loss last night, and they’ll attempt to regroup thru two contests on Saturday. The LAA offense is scoring 4.16 runs per game, while batting .257, with a .333 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.43 ERA, with a 1.36 WHIP. 

Chase Silseth (4-1, 3.27 ERA, 46 Ks) will get the ball in game one game for LAA. The second-year righty pitched well in Houston last time out, tossing five scoreless frames to earn his fourth victory. Silseth has quietly been the most reliable arm in the staff alongside Shohei Ohtani, allowing two runs or less in his last eight appearances. Silseth will face another test here with Tampa, but he may just be up for it after handling Houston well in Texas.

Pablo Sandoval (6-9, 4.09 ERA, 98 Ks) is set to start game two for LAA. The fifth-year lefty didn’t last long in his start in Arlington last time out, going just 2.2 innings and allowing six runs to the Rangers en route to his ninth loss of the season. Sandoval held clubs to two runs or less in five starts prior to the outing versus Texas, so we should chalk that up to facing a fierce offense on the road. Sandoval will face another test Saturday with Tampa, but there’s a chance he bounces back here at home.  

Angels Player Trends & Props

Shohei Ohtani homered and collected three hits in the game three win over Texas, and he’s first in the AL in home runs (42), while leading LAA in hits (137) and RBI (85), while batting .306.

Brandon Drury is hitless over his lash four games, so he may be due here at home, and he’s posting splits of .264/15/49.

Mike Moustakas had multiple hits in the game three loss, and he’s posting a line of .274/11/47.

Hunter Renfroe only had two hits in six games in Texas, but he’s second on the team in RBI (51), with seventeen home runs. 

Corey’s Pick G1

Game one in Anaheim may be a bit slow paced with two hots arms set to take the mound. Chase Silseth and Tyler Glasnow have been really good over the past month, with the latter flashing glimpses of what a healthy version of himself looks like. I like Glasnow giving the Rays a 2-0 series lead, but let’s back the under here for game one. 

Corey’s Pick G2

Game three is where the Angels have shined over the past few weeks, whether it’s avoiding a sweep or bringing the series home. This team feels like the pressure to win, and although their postseason outlook appears murky, I like them buckling down and finding a way to win game three. Their backs are against the wall, so let’s roll with the Angels here in the series finale.