On Sunday, the Detroit Tigers (20-12) face off against the Los Angeles Angels (12-18) at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Keep up to date with all the MLB action, with our expert MLB picks.

Los Angeles comes into this matchup on a six-game losing streak prior to their middle games against Detroit. In the first game of their series against Detroit, the Los Angeles Angels suffered a 10-4 defeat. Despite the loss, Jorge Soler delivered a bright spot for the Angels' offense, going 1-for-4 at the plate, which included a solo home run. That home run accounted for one run scored and one RBI for Soler. So far this season, Mike Trout and Logan O’Hoppe have provided the bulk of Los Angeles’ power at the plate, each tallying nine home runs to lead the team. Right behind them are Taylor Ward and Jorge Soler, who have each contributed six home runs, helping boost the Angels’ overall offense. Mike Trout is not only a power threat but also leads the team in RBIs, having driven in a total of eighteen runs this year. When it comes to hitting for average, Logan O’Hoppe stands out as the team’s best, currently sporting a .280 batting average—making him the most consistent hitter in the Angels’ lineup. However, pitching has been a concern for Los Angeles lately. Over their last five games, the Angels have allowed an average of 6.8 runs per contest. This recent slump has contributed to their fall to the bottom of the AL West Division standings. The Angels began the year exceeding expectations with a decent start, but their recent struggles—particularly on the mound—have brought them back down. As they now face a tough challenge in the visiting Detroit Tigers, improving their pitching will be key to turning things around. At this point in the season, the Angels average 3.7 runs scored per game, underscoring the need for both their pitching and their offense to step up if they hope to climb the standings.

Detroit enters this game on a two-game winning streak and has won three of their last five games prior to their middle games against Los Angeles. In the series opener against Los Angeles, the Detroit Tigers kicked off with a commanding 10-4 victory. Catcher Dillon Dingler had a standout performance, collecting three hits in five at-bats, including a home run. Dingler also drove in three runs and crossed the plate once himself, making a significant impact in his team’s win. So far this season, Spencer Torkelson has emerged as Detroit’s primary power threat, leading the team with nine home runs. Not far behind is Kerry Carpenter, who has contributed seven homers of his own, making him the team’s second-best home run hitter. Torkelson not only anchors the lineup with his power but also tops the team in runs batted in, having tallied 26 RBIs to lead the Tigers in that category. When it comes to consistency at the plate, Zach McKinstry sets the pace for Detroit with an impressive .316 batting average, the highest on the team. Offensively, the Tigers have been productive lately, averaging 6.6 runs per game over their last five contests. This offensive surge has helped propel them to the top of the AL Central Division, where they currently hold a one-and-a-half-game lead over second-place Cleveland. As they head into Anaheim to continue their series against the struggling Angels, the Tigers are hoping to maintain their recent momentum. Overall, Detroit averages 4.8 runs per game on the season, making them one of the more consistent lineups in the American League so far this year.

WNBA Best Bets and Odds for September 18, 2024