To put it simply, the Toronto Blue Jays are pounding the ball right now. If you need a testimonial, just ask the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels, the last two victim’s of Toronto’s bomb ball. The Jay’s put up 22 runs combined in their last two games and hopes to continue the barrage Saturday at Anaheim in the second game of their weekend series against the Angels. It will be the job of RHP John Lackey (1-1, 2.05 ERA) to shut down this Toronto onslaught. The Blue Jays will send RHP Shaun Marcum (5-3, 2.64 ERA).
Oddsmakers at online sportsbook Bodog (Bodoglife.com) currently have the Angels listed as 142-moneyline favorites versus the Blue Jays, while the game's total is sitting at 7½.
On Monday, Marcum continued his strong start to the season, limiting the Royals to two runs (one earned) on five hits with six strikeouts and one walk over 7 1/3 innings. With the win, the right-hander improved to 3-1 with a 2.11 ERA in six May outings. In his career against the Angels, Marcum is 2-1 with a 3.20 ERA in three starts.
Another strong effort by Lackey ended quickly when Carlos Quentin's second homer in the bottom of the ninth sent the big right-hander reeling to his first defeat Sunday night in Chicago. Lackey yielded six hits and three earned runs, walking one and striking out three. He was remarkably efficient, making only 82 pitches and getting 12 ground-ball outs. Lackey is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA in eight career starts against the Blue Jays.
Lyle Overbay drove in three runs from two home runs to lead the Blue Jays to a 10-4 win over the Angels on Friday, as +120 underdogs. The 14 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8).
Overbay went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored three times for the Blue Jays. Dustin McGowan tossed six innings for the win, allowing four runs off seven hits.
Casey Kotchman went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in two runs for the Angels, who were -135 favorites in that game. Jered Weaver surrendered six runs off 10 hits over four innings in the loss.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Pick: OVER 7 1/2
