An interleague battle between two done and dusted teams gets started Tuesday, September 15, 2020, when the Arizona Diamondbacks (17-31) visit the Los Angeles Angels (20-28) in game one of a three game series. The Diamondbacks are in last place in the NL West and are 14.5 games back of the second place Padres, while the Angels are in fourth place in the AL West and are 3.5 games back of the second place Astros. This game will air live on FS1 at 9:40 p.m. EST.
Arizona had the day off yesterday after losing two of three against the Seattle Mariners over the weekend. The Diamondbacks won game one 4-3 and then lost games two and three by a 7-3 score line. The struggle for Arizona continues.
Los Angeles also had the day off yesterday after winning two of three against the Colorado Rockies. Colorado won the first game 8-4, but LA fought back for an 11 inning win on Saturday and a 5-3 win on Sunday.
Below is my pick for the Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Angels. All odds are from BetRivers Sportsbook.
Arizona Diamondbacks (+123) at Los Angeles Angels (-143)
Pitching Matchup: Madison Bumgarner (0-4, 7.52 ERA, 1.56 WHIP) vs Julio Teheran (0-3, 8.23 ERA, 1.57 WHIP)
Madison Bumgarner’s 2020 season has been the definition of up and down as the lefty has produced four solid starts and two poor starts. In Bumgarner’s two bad starts he has given up a combined 14 runs (13 earned) and 12 hits in just 6.1 innings pitched. The other four starts for Bumgarner has seen him give up a combined nine earned runs and 18 hits in 20.0 innings pitched.
Julio Teheran has had a tough 2020 as the righty has given up four earned runs or more in four of his seven appearances. Last time out, Teheran gave up six hits and five earned runs in 4.2 innings of work against the Texas Rangers. Teheran has given up 32 hits and 25 earned runs in just 27.1 innings pitched this season.
Batting Stats:
Christian Walker has led the way for Arizona this season as the first baseman leads with a .272 batting average, .332 on base percentage, .480 slugging, an .811 OPS, and 31 RBI’s. Right fielder Kole Calhoun leads the team with nine home runs.
As usual, it has been the Mike Trout show in Los Angeles this season as the future Hall of Famer leads the team with a .403 on base percentage, .648 slugging, 1.051 OPS, 16 home runs, and 39 RBI’s. Trout is third in the majors with his .648 slugging, fourth in OPS, tied for first in home runs, and sixth in RBI’s. Shortstop David Fletcher leads the team with a .299 batting average.
Free MLB Picks: I am backing Madison Bumgarner, and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday night.
2020 Picks Record: 51-34
