Los Angeles Angels vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction 8-19-23 MLB Picks

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels meet Saturday in MLB doubleheader action from Angel Stadium. These will be the second and third installments in a three-game series over the weekend. The originally-scheduled Sunday matchup was moved up due to the incoming storm. In the series opener on Friday, the Rays powered out a comeback win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Tampa Bay Rays 

The Rays won a series versus the Giants this week, taking two of three games. On Wednesday in a 6-1 win, Tampa Bay got home runs fro Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe and Luke Raley during the victory. In the Friday game the Rays scored three in the top of the 10th inning during a 9-6 win. 

For the starter job in the Saturday game one matchup the Rays will go with Tyler Glasnow. In 2023 Glasnow is 6-3 with a 3.01 ERA and 103 Ks. As for game two it’ll be Zach Eflin. In his 23 starts so far Eflin is 12-7 with a 3.67 ERA and 132 Ks in 132.1 innings overall.

Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts

The Rays have won each of their last 16 night games against the Angels following a win.
The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last 14 night games against the Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim following a win.
The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games against American League opponents.
The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Rays' last eight Saturday games.

Los Angeles Angels 

Over on the Angels’ side, they didn’t have a ton of luck versus the Rangers in their last series but did manage a 2-0 win on Wednesday. LA’s Shohei Ohtani and Matt Thaiss each had a solo homer in that one. On Friday the Angels were out-hit 15-9 in the loss and blew an early 5-1 lead. 
Chase Silseth will take the mound for the game one starter role on Saturday for LA. This year in 13 games (five starts Silseth is 4-1 with a 3.27 ERA and 46 Ks in 41.1 innings. In game two it’ll be Patrick Sandoval. So far Sandoval is 6-9 with a 4.09 ERA and 98 strikeouts. 

Los Angeles Angels Team Facts

The Angels have lost each of their last 16 night games against the Rays following a loss.
The Angels have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 12 night games against the Rays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim following a loss.
The Angels have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven Saturday games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
The Angels have led after 3 innings in each of their last three home games against AL East opponents.
The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Angels' last three home games against AL East opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Los Angeles Angels ranks 3rd in the league for home runs this season (181).
The Los Angeles Angels ranks 28th in the league for walks allowed this season (470).
The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 1st in the league for opponent batting average this season (.233).
The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 2nd in the league for steals this season (130).

ANDREW’S GAME 1 FREE PICK 

I might take a stab on the Angels here. Silseth is on a nice run these days. In his last three starts, Silseth is 2-0 with just three earned in 17.0 total innings. He should post another decent outing here. Glasnow is doing very well these days himself however, with just three earned in his last 20.0 innings and a 3-0 run in his last trio of starts. Should be a fun pitcher’s duel if both guys are on point. 

ANDREW’S GAME 2 FREE PICK 

I’m going to stay with the Rays in game two. Eflin is coming off a rough outing versus Cleveland (3.0 innings; six earned) but he was pitching well prior to that. Eflin should be able to bounce back just fine in this one. That leaves it up to the Rays offense, which has six or more runs in three of the last four games.