Blue Jays and Angels Face Off Amid Struggles on May 8, 2025
In what shapes up to be a tightly contested battle between two underperforming teams, the Los Angeles Angels host the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium on May 8, 2025. The Angels enter the game with a 15-20 record, while the Blue Jays come in at 16-20. The Angels secured a narrow win in their most recent meeting on May 7, edging the Blue Jays 5-4.
Pitching Matchup
The Angels will hand the ball to right-hander Jose Soriano, who sports a 2-4 record and a 3.83 ERA this season. While Soriano has shown flashes of potential—most notably tossing six scoreless innings on May 2—his inconsistency and modest strikeout rate (18.5%) remain concerns. He’ll be tested by a Blue Jays lineup that rarely strikes out, one of the most disciplined groups in that regard across the majors.
Toronto counters with veteran Chris Bassitt, who has quietly delivered a strong season thus far. Despite a 2-2 record, his 2.95 ERA and excellent command (just a 4.2% walk rate) highlight his ability to limit damage. His control may prove vital against an Angels offense that rarely draws walks, ranking dead last in that category.
Offensive Outlook
Both squads have struggled at the plate overall—ranking 24th (Blue Jays) and 26th (Angels) in scoring—but the Angels have flexed surprising power, ranking 5th in home runs. That said, their overall inconsistency has held them back. Oddsmakers give a slight edge to Toronto, with an implied run total of 4.45 compared to Los Angeles’ 4.05. However, considering the Angels’ recent win and Soriano’s favorable groundball tendencies, they could exceed expectations.
Key Blue Jays Notes
– Chris Bassitt’s fastball velocity has dropped from 92.6 mph last season to 90.6 mph in 2025. A decline in velocity can reduce strikeout potential and increase risk of allowing runs.
– George Springer is hitting flyballs harder this season, with his average exit velocity jumping to 97.3 mph from last year’s 93.2 mph—a strong sign of increased power.
– Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is projected as the sixth-best hitter in baseball by THE BAT X, a leading projection system that incorporates advanced data and has a strong track record of accuracy.
Key Angels Notes
– Jose Soriano induces groundballs at an elite 55.1% rate, which could minimize the home run risk at Angel Stadium, the seventh-most homer-prone park in MLB.
– Taylor Ward, a groundball-heavy hitter, may struggle against Bassitt’s similar groundball style. This unfavorable matchup could limit Ward’s effectiveness at the plate.
– According to THE BAT X, the Angels have been one of the unluckiest offenses in baseball—ranking fourth in that category—and are likely due for positive regression soon.
Recent Betting Trends
– The Angels have hit the First Five Innings (F5) Team Total Under in five of their last six home games (+4.20 Units / 61% ROI).
– The Blue Jays have also hit the F5 Team Total Under in their last seven road games (+7.35 Units / 85% ROI).
– Jose Soriano has allowed more hits than expected in seven of his last eight home starts (+5.40 Units / 51% ROI).
Prediction
This game is nearly a toss-up, with both teams showing strengths that could swing the result either way. The Blue Jays get the slight analytical edge, but the Angels’ recent win and favorable matchups could make it closer than the odds suggest.
Predicted Final Score: Toronto Blue Jays 4.31, Los Angeles Angels 4.30
Game Info
– Date: May 8, 2025
– Location: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
– Starting Pitchers:
– Toronto Blue Jays: Chris Bassitt
– Los Angeles Angels: Jose Soriano
For additional analysis, betting odds, and team breakdowns, be sure to review the latest MLB picks and insights.
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