Cleveland Guardians (67-74) vs. Los Angeles Angels (65-76)
Cleveland Guardians vs. Los Angeles Angels 9/9/23 – As we inch closer to the end of the regular season, two teams struggling to stay relevant meet on the diamond. The Cleveland Guardians hold a 67-74 record, slightly better than the Los Angeles Angels who sit at 65-76. Both teams have underperformed this season, and with the playoffs looking increasingly unlikely for either squad, they are playing for pride, draft position, and a better 2024. This contest will take place at Angel Stadium of Anaheim at 9:07 PM ET, with coverage on MLBN.
The Cleveland Guardians have shown flashes of brilliance this season but have mostly failed to deliver consistently. Their batting average stands at a reasonable 0.249, with 570 runs scored and 106 home runs. On the pitching side, they boast a 3.96 ERA and 1.3 WHIP, numbers that suggest their pitching staff has been serviceable but not dominant. Recent form is a concern, with just one win in their last five games.
The Los Angeles Angels have a nearly identical batting average at 0.250 but have outperformed the Guardians in power hitting with 201 home runs. The pitching has been their Achilles’ heel, as their 4.72 ERA and 1.42 WHIP indicate a struggle to contain opposing offenses. The Angels have also been on a skid, winning only one of their last seven games, worsening their home record which stands at a poor 1-7 in the last eight games at Angel Stadium. Check out our free baseball picks for more insights.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Los Angeles Angels Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 9:07 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Angel Stadium of Anaheim |
| TV: | MLBN |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Lucas Giolito 7-12, 4.88 ERA) vs. Tyler Anderson (5-6, 5.55 ERA)
Giolito has had a difficult season by his standards, posting a 7-12 W-L record with an inflated 4.88 ERA. His 1.31 WHIP over 156.2 innings pitched suggests he has been inconsistent in controlling traffic on the base paths. The 168 strikeouts in 156.2 innings indicate that he still has the stuff to dominate but has been plagued by 33 home runs, indicating moments of lost concentration or simply bad pitches at the wrong time. It’s a season that he’d prefer to forget but will look to build some late-season momentum starting with this game.
Tyler Anderson, the Angels’ starter, has faced his share of difficulties as well. His 5-6 W-L record might not appear disastrous at first glance, but a 5.55 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP over 128 innings reveal significant issues. He has allowed 138 hits and 58 walks, struggling to limit base runners. His strikeout numbers (108) are notably lower than Giolito’s, suggesting a lack of dominant pitches in his arsenal. He has been somewhat better at limiting home runs, allowing only 17, but that seems to be a small consolation given his other stats.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Cleveland Guardians -118, Total Odds: 8.5
Cleveland is the slight favorite with a Moneyline of -118, whereas the Angels are slight underdogs at +106. The total has been set at 8.5.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Trends
Cleveland has seen the total go UNDER in 6 of their last 9 games. They are also 5-2 SU in their last 7 against the Angels but have struggled on the road recently, going 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA.
Los Angeles Angels Betting Trends
The Angels have seen the total go OVER in 8 of their last 10 games. They are a miserable 1-6 SU in their last 7 games, but notably, they are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Los Angeles Angels 9/9/23 Betting Picks
Considering the recent trends, team statistics, and starting pitchers’ performances, we lean towards the Cleveland Guardians. While both teams have been inconsistent, Giolito’s ability to generate strikeouts gives the Guardians a slight edge. Additionally, Cleveland’s bullpen seems more reliable, which may prove vital in the later innings. For more insights, check out our free expert handicapping picks today.
Free Pick and Prediction: Cleveland Guardians will win 5-3.