Guardians vs Angels Prediction - MLB Picks 9/8/23

Los Angeles Angels (64-76) vs Cleveland Guardians (67-73)

Game Info: Friday, September 8, 2023 at 9:38 pm (Angel Stadium of Anaheim)

Griffin Canning (7-5) (4.30) vs Logan Allen (6-7) (3.77)

Betting Odds: Los Angeles Angels +106 / Cleveland Guardians -125 --- Over/Under: 8.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Los Angeles Angeles and the Cleveland Guardians will meet in Anaheim for game two of their four-game set this Friday from Angel Stadium. LAA stole game two in walkoff fashion, 3-2.

Guardians Preview & Projected Starter

Cleveland moved to 67-74 after losing to LAA. The Guardians let game one slip away last night, and they’ll look to rebound here on Friday. The Cleveland offense is scoring 3.98 runs per game, while batting .253, with a .316 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.83 ERA, with a 1.26 WHIP.

Logan Allen (6-7, 3.77 ERA, 17 Ks) will take the hill for Cleveland. The rookie pitcher had a tough time in his matchup with Tampa last week at home, allowing four runs through five innings, but he avoided the losing decision. Allen pitched well thru four starts to open August, but he’s struggled over his last two outings, and he’ll look to get the Guardians back on track here in game two.

Guardians Player Trends & Props

• Jose Ramirez had three hits in the game one loss, and he leads Cleveland home runs (22), while batting .273 with 72 RBI.

• Steven Kwan all had three base knocks, and he leads the team in hits (152), while batting .271.

• Andrés Giménez has scored a run in six of the last nine games, and he’s posting splits of .233/12/50.

• Josh Naylor produced a run in last night’s defeat to extend his team-lead to 81 RBI, with fifteen homers.

Angels Preview & Projected Starter

Los Angeles moved to 65-76 after defeating Cleveland. The Angels snapped a six-game skid with their first win of September, and they’ll attempt to take a 2-0 series here on Friday. 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.

Griffin Canning (7-5, 4.30 ERA, 71 Ks) will get the call for Los Angeles. The fourth-year righty pitched well in his matchup with Oakland last time out, striking out seven thru six innings, while only allowing two runs, but he was still dealt the losing decision. It’s the second straight time Canning has pitched well, but received no run support, and he’ll attempt to deliver once again here at home.

Angels Player Trends & Props

• Brandon Drury has produced a run in the five of the last nine games, and he’s posting splits of .263/20/67.

• Mike Moustakas has recorded a hit in four straight games, and he’s posting a line of .249/12/45.

• Mickey Moniak plated a run in two of the three matchups with Baltimore, and he’s batting .280, with 43 RBI for the season.

Corey’s Free Pick

I won’t lie, it was actually nice to see something heroic swing in the Halos direction last night, as they’ve endured a hellacious season that hasn’t seen it’s worst outcome yet. Cleveland should’ve won last night’s contest, and I believe they’ll make things right on Friday night against a lineup heavily influenced by rookies and deadline acquisitions. The Guardians also still have a faint shot of catching the Twins atop the NL Central, while the Angels have been forced to play into next season. Let’s roll with Cleveland here at home.