The Rays Should Claw Back In Series Against Angels Tonight

The Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays are currently playing in a four-game series at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Florida.

In yesterday’s series opener, the Angels returned to .500 with a 7-3 win over the Rays. Patrick Sandoval led the charge for the Angels after he finished five innings and only allowed one run on four hits and two walks. While he didn’t get the win, he kept the Angels in the game and lowered his ERA to 4.67.

Meanwhile, Mike Trout added a two-run blast, Matt Thaiss added a three-run double, and Tyler Ward added insurance with a home run in the last two innings to defeat the Rays in Game 1 of the series.

We’ll examine today’s Game 2 of the series below.

Check out our Angels vs Rays preview for tonight’s intriguing matchup between two teams that are sitting around .500 in the American League to begin the year.

Mike Trout Knocked His 7th Home Run

Mike Trout socked his 7th home run of the season. He’s now tied with Tyler O’Neill and Marcell Ozuna for the MLB stats league lead in home runs.

Trout hasn’t been healthy over the last couple of seasons. However, if he can stay on the field for an entire season with the Angels this year, he’ll be near the top of all MLB batting stats. He’s still got it. The MLB results this season have proved it.

Taj Bradley’s Progress

Taj Bradley has been held off the MLB mound due to a pectoral injury. But it was reported that he will throw three innings in extended spring training on Wednesday. He also threw live batting practice on Friday and is getting closer to recovering to get back on the mound for the Rays this season.

The thought is he’ll return in the first half of May.

Angels vs Rays Preview & Odds For Game 2: ML: Rays -145, O/U 8.5 +110/-130.

Jose Soriano took over Chase Silseth’s spot in the rotation after Silseth went on the injured list. He’s a right-handed thrower with a 6.30 ERA. He’s also struck out nine of 42 batters faced this season. Despite keeping his walks down this season, he’s allowed a .270 ISO and wOBA of .357.

Last season, Soriano was a relief pitcher who pitched an average of 18 pitches a night. He struck out 30.3% of batters as a reliever and held teams to a .110 ISO and wOBA of .304. However, now that he’s a starter, his strikeout rate has dipped, along with many other stats that have seen a decrease.

Against Soriano, the Rays can rely on many hitters, including Isaac Paredes, Jose Siri, and Brandon Lowe. The squad also hasn’t struck out at a very high rate against righties since last season. For example, Yandy Diaz, Harold Ramirez, Isaac Paredes, Amed Rosario, Jose Caballero, and Curtis Mead have all struck out under 22.5% against righties. If Richie Palacios and Ben Rortvedt are in the starting lineup, neither of those have struck out against righties much.

Anyway, Soriano has allowed 50% of hard contact but has also earned 53.3% of ground balls. His struggles are coming mainly from right-handed batters, who have hit a .389 ISO and wOBA of .455 in 21 plate appearances.

This was what happened last year. Against righties in 2023, Soriano allowed a .198 ISO and wOBA of .376, so his reverse splits are a bit odd. We’ll see if the analytical experts in Tampa Bay decide to make any changes based on these results from Soriano.

Civale’s Surprising Start

On the other hand, it’ll be Aaron Civale for Game 2. Civale has been super surprising to begin the year. He’s got a 2-1 record with a 2.12 ERA and has struck out 18 batters. That’s a strikeout rate of 27.3%, and he’s also held teams to a .264 wOBA to begin the year. Civale won’t blow hitters away, but he’s precise.

The only blemish is his .189 ISO to righties to begin the year. However, he allowed just a .110 ISO last season and is ultimately pitching right where he left off from last season.

Civale allowed a .127 ISO and a wOBA of .291 to 504 batters last year. This year, it’s more of the same. Civale also isn’t allowing many line drives, which has been another impressive portion of his game this season.

Conversely, the Angels haven’t been very consistent offensively against righties since last season. The projected lineup has struck out 27% of the time and just has Mike Trout and Jo Adell hitting an above-average ISO.

Los Angeles legitimately has six batters who are high strikeout targets for Civale. With Civale adding a higher strikeout rate to begin the season, he should be able to fan quite a few batters in this game.

Yesterday, Mike Trout and Taylor Ward hit homers. Those two are one of four batters hitting an ISO of at least .166 and wOBA of at least .322 in the lineup. The Angels can only really hope for those guys to do damage. The rest of the lineup is too inconsistent.
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Therefore, the Rays are favorites for a reason. Per our Angels vs Rays preview, back Civale and Tampa Bay to even the series at one apiece in Game 2. There’s still value with these MLB betting odds.

Angels vs Rays Preview

For MLB predictions today, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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