Los Angeles Angels (36-38) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (45-31)
June 26, 2021 4:10 pm EDT
The Line: Tampa Bay Rays -160 / Los Angeles Angels +148; Over/Under: -8.5
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The Los Angeles Angels and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Saturday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. This will be the second installment in a three-game set between these teams over the weekend. In the series opener Friday, the Rays eked out a one-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
The Angels played a couple of games versus the Giants this week, losing both 5-0 and 9-3. In the Friday opener versus Tampa, Los Angeles had an early lead but ultimately fell 4-3. Starter Griffin Canning put up 5.0 innings with six hits, two earned and two walks.
For the starter job in the Saturday game, the Angels will go with Alex Cobb. Over his 49.0 innings this year Cobb has 46 hits, 28 runs (24 earned), two homers allowed, 16 walks, 60 Ks and a 4.41 ERA overall.
Over on the Rays’ side, they played the Red Sox this week. Tampa lost Tuesday but bagged wins in the next two games. In the Friday matchup, the Rays responded with three runs in the first inning on the way to the victory. Andrew Kittredge put up 2.0 innings with two earned on two hits.
For the starter job in the Saturday game, the Rays will turn to Shane McClanahan. Over his 44.2 innings this year, McClanahan has 44 hits, 21 runs (20 earned), eight homers allowed, 14 walks, 54 Ks and a 4.03 ERA.
The Angels are 4-0 in their last four Saturday games and 8-20 in the last 28 road games versus a lefty starter. LA is 9-4 in their last 13 versus a lefty starter and the over is 5-0 in their last five in game two of a series.
Meanwhile, the Rays are 25-10 in their last 35 Saturday games and 61-28 in their last 89 on turf. Tampa is 19-9 in their last 28 in game two of a series and the over is 5-2 in their last seven Saturday games.
PICK: I’m sticking with Tampa. McClanahan had a couple of sketchy starts earlier in the month, but he’s calmed down with three earned on 10 hits and two walks in 11.0 innings over his last pair of outings. As for Cobb, he had a nice start versus the Tigers but prior to that had given up 10 earned in 10 innings over two outings. If McClanahan can keep things manageable here I think Tampa will have some opportunities to score.
