MLB Preview 2012: Los Angeles Angels, Mike Trout Head North of the Border
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is doing things on the baseball field that I haven't seen in years as he packs up his circus act and heads north of the border to open a four-game American League series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night at the Rogers Centre.
The 20-year-old rookie from Vineland, NJ, made one of the best catches of the 2012 MLB season in the team's 13-1 blowout win on the road against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night (video courtesy of losangeles.angels.mlb.com). He also managed to go 4-for-6 from the plate, leading the Angels to their 13th road win in 14 opportunities.
The Angels have been sent out as minus-120 road favorites in the MLB betting odds for the series opener (courtesy of SBR Forum), while the total has moved up a half run from its opening number to settle in at 9.5.
Dan Haren (5-7, 4.24 ERA) is set to make his 16th start of the season, with the squad alternating wins and losses over his last five outings, as he comes off a 8-5 home win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He allowed five runs and nine hits over five frames in that effort.
In 12 career games (11 starts) versus the Blue Jays, Haren has compiled a 7-3 record and 4.68 ERA, including a perfect 4-0 mark and 5.40 ERA in six appearances at this ballpark.
Sports bettors will find that the Angels have won 11 of their last 12 games as a road favorite, while the "under" is 4-1 in the last five contests in that situation.
Trout will likely play a major role in deciding the outcome of this affair, considering the Halos are 36-19 since he was called up from the minors on April 28—the best record in baseball over that span.
Toronto will counter with Brett Cecil (1-0, 2.45 ERA) on the mound, who has led the club to victory in his first two starts of the season. The left-hander has gone 1-2 with a 6.43 ERA in five lifetime starts versus the Halos.
The Angels are 11-8 in the last three seasons when playing in Toronto, while also taking two of three home games against the Blue Jays from May 4 through 6.
