The Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays will take the field on Friday at Rogers Centre. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles (53-49 SU and 49-53 RL) is starting right-hander Lucas Giolito. The 29-year-old, who was acquired from Chicago on Wednesday, was 6-6 with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 21 outings with the White Sox this year.
Toronto (57-46 SU and 48-55 RL) is countering with righty Kevin Gausman. The 32-year-old is 7-5 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP in 20 starts this season.
The Blue Jays are -195 moneyline favorites and the game total is eight runs scored.
Mike Briggs is your trusted sports capper at Winners and Whiners. With a keen eye for value, he'll find you the top picks in baseball, basketball, and football.  ;Bet with Mike today!
The Angels made a splash on Wednesday ahead of next week's MLB Trade Deadline, acquiring the veteran starter Giolito and reliever Reynaldo López from the White Sox just hours after shutting down Shohei Ohtani trade rumors. Only a few games out of the postseason picture, Los Angeles is looking like a legitimate Wild Card contender.
LA scores 5.02 runs per game (6th) and hits .256 (9th) with a .780 OPS (4th). It's launched 155 long balls (3rd) and stolen 50 bases (27th) this year. The pitching staff has compiled a 4.44 ERA (20th) and a 1.37 WHIP (22nd) with 31 quality starts (21st).
Get goin' ??#GoHalos pic.twitter.com/mf8ComuHiR
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 27, 2023
Giolito will make his first appearance in an Angels uniform on Friday. The eighth-year pro, who owns a 131:42 K:BB ratio in 2023, held Minnesota scoreless in six innings in his last outing with Chicago. He was roughed up in his previous start, though, giving up eight runs and three long balls in a loss to the Mets. Can he provide LA with a boost to its playoff odds?