Los Angeles Angels vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction 7-21-23 MLB Picks
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Angels meet Friday in MLB action from Angel Stadium. This will be the opener of a three-game series over the weekend. Pittsburgh played the Guardians in their last set, losing two of three games for a 1-5 record over their last six outings. As for the Angels, they were able to sweep the Yankees in their last series. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are firmly planted in the basement of the NL Central right now, going 42-54 this year and losing eight of their last 10 games. Jared Triolo is one of the few hot bats on the team right now; Triolo posted two hits, two RBI and a run on Wednesday and is hitting .333 over the last week.
Starting pitcher for Friday’s matchup will be Johan Oviedo. This year in his 19 starts Oviedo is 3-10 with a 4.53 ERA and 97 strikeouts over 107.1 innings. Oviedo managed 7.0 innings with one earned on on hit and three walks in a no-decision versus the Giants his last time up.
Los Angeles Angels
Over on the Angels’ side, they’re playing pretty well right now and have won four of their last five games. LA is still hovering around .500 (49-48) but there are some positive offensive signs these days. Mickey Moniak is hitting .429 over the last 15 days, and Shohei Ohtani has 12 hits and 10 runs during that time.
Speaking of Ohtani, he’ll be starting for the Angels on Friday. Across his 18 starts this year Ohtani is 7-5 with a 3.50 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 105.1 innings. Over his last 10.0 innings (two losses), Ohtani has stumbled a bit with nine earned on 12 hits and seven walks.
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Los Angeles Angels Betting Trends: July 21, 2023
Los Angeles Angels Team Facts
The Angels have won each of their last eight home games against NL Central opponents following a home win.
The Angels have covered the run line in each of their last eight night games against NL Central opponents following a home win.
The Angels have lost the first inning in each of their last four night games against National League opponents.
The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the last seven games between the Pirates and Angels.
The Angels have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last six night games against National League opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates Team Facts
The Pirates have lost each of their last seven road games against American League opponents following a home win.
The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games against American League opponents following a win.
The Pirates have won the first inning in three of their last four games as underdogs against the Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games.
Los Angeles Angels Player Prop Facts
Shohei Ohtani has recorded 10+ strikeouts in four of his last five appearances with the Angels as favourites against NL opponents.
Hunter Renfroe has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four appearances with his team as a favourite against NL Central opponents.
Taylor Ward has recorded at least one hit in 14 of his last 15 appearances after not playing the previous day.
Shohei Ohtani has recorded three or more total bases in each of the Angels' last seven home games against opponents that held a losing record.
Shohei Ohtani has hit at least one home run in three of the Angels' last four home games against opponents that held a losing record.
Shohei Ohtani ranks 1st in the league in Home Runs (35) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
Carlos Santana has recorded two or more RBIs in each of his last three road appearances against the Angels after not playing the previous day.
Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates' last 10 night games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one total base in each of the Pirates' last 10 night games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in two of the Pirates' last three games against the Angels.
Matchup/League Facts
The Los Angeles Angels ranks 3rd in the league for home runs this season (147).
The Los Angeles Angels ranks 3rd in the league for on-base percentage this season (.333).
The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks 3rd in the league for home runs allowed this season (101).
The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks 28th in the league for home runs this season (84).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stay with the Angels here. With Ohtani struggling in his last two starts (nine earned in 10.0 innings) it’s easy to get pessimistic. That said, he should match up well versus the Pittsburgh offense. The Pirates were held to one run or less in three of their last five games and they’ve given up five runs or more in each of the last four games. Los Angeles should have plenty of opportunities to succeed on both sides in this opener.
