After a scorching 5-hit performance from Ernie Clement, the Toronto Blue Jays are looking to keep their momentum rolling as they host the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The Blue Jays (18-21) currently sit third in the AL East, while the Angels (15-25) are bringing up the rear in the AL West.
Sunday's matchup marks the sixth meeting between these two teams this season, with Toronto already holding a commanding 4-1 series lead. The Blue Jays have been particularly tough at home, boasting a 12-8 record at Rogers Centre. When they go deep—which they've done often—they're nearly unbeatable, with a 7-3 record in games where they hit two or more home runs.
On the mound, the Angels will send Jose Soriano (5-2, 1.74 ERA) to the bump, while Toronto counters with Spencer Miles (1-0, 3.50 ERA). The Angels come in as slight -119 favorites, with the over/under set at 8 runs.
For Toronto, Kazuma Okamoto has been the offensive engine, leading the team with 10 home runs and a .482 slugging percentage. Brandon Valenzuela has also caught fire lately, going 9-for-26 with three homers and eight RBIs over the last 10 games.
Jo Adell paces the Angels with a .261 batting average, adding four homers and 21 RBIs. Nolan Schanuel has been the club's most consistent hitter recently, notching 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats with an RBI.
Both teams are dealing with significant injury concerns. Toronto is without key arms like Max Scherzer (forearm), Jose Berrios (elbow), and Shane Bieber (elbow), while the Angels are missing Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) and catcher Travis d'Arnaud (foot), among others.
Over their last 10 games, the Blue Jays have gone 5-5 with a solid 3.18 ERA and have outscored opponents by 18 runs. The Angels, on the other hand, are just 3-7 in that stretch, posting a 4.70 ERA and getting outscored by 22 runs.
First pitch is set for Sunday—expect another chapter in what's been a one-sided season series so far.
