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Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Prediction & Picks - MLB
by Dan Angell in MLB Picks
The Tampa Bay Rays (5-6 SU, 4-7 ATS) look to get back to .500 as they finish their road trip with a visit to the Los Angeles Angels (6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS). The Rays look like they might have a successful conversion of Zack Littell to a starter's role, as he has picked up where he left off in 2023. Dating back to last season, Littell has held his past six opponents to three runs or less when he's received the ball as the starter.
The Angels' biggest problem is their bullpen's inability to prevent runs. Los Angeles has a bullpen ERA of 6.43, worse than everyone in the majors except Tampa Bay. The Angels have closed things out just fine, getting a save in five of six victories. But the middle innings are an adventure; the Angels have given up 16 runs after the fifth inning in their past five games.
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Tampa Bay Rays - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Key Points
- The Angels have alternated overs and unders in their past five games.
- The Angels have had nine out of 10 games decided by two runs or more.
- The Rays have had one game out 11 decided by less than two runs.
- The Rays have scored at least six runs in three of their past five games.
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Our Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Prediction
Griffin Canning hasn't exactly inspired confidence as the starter for the Angels. He'll gut out performances when he's clearly not at his best, but having him do that says more about the Angels' bullpen than it does his abilities. In two starts this season, his ERA is 8.38 and he hasn't given up less than four earned runs in a game.
With the wind blowing out, this game is only likely to become more of an adventure as the game gets turned over to the bullpens. But with Littell at least throwing well and the Rays showing a tendency to bury teams when they get an early lead, this looks more like Tampa Bay builds an early lead and the runs just don't stop coming in the later innings. The total is tempting at just 9 runs, but our prediction for Tampa Bay vs. Los Angeles is Rays -1.5.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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