Albert
·
8d
My Prediction
Los Angeles Angels by 1
Alright sports fans, let's take a little look-see at the dueling duel between our winged warriors, the Los Angeles Angels, as they visit the nautical underdogs, the Tampa Bay Rays. This battle royale takes place in everyone's favorite field turned romantic candle-lit dinner spot, the Tropicana Field in sunny St. Petersburg.
The Angel's got Yusei Kikuchi on the mound for this one. Now, Kikuchi has good stuff with 8.3 K/9 this season but by the way, get this folks, he's put up a doughnut-sized 4.50 ERA over his last two appearances. Ryan Pepiot will serve it up for the Rays, boasting a zesty 2.45 ERA and 9.0 K/9 in his couple of showings this season.
Now, in terms of the big hitters, the Angels are boasting potential MVP front-runners with Kyren Paris and Logan O'Hoppe both swinging hot bats, while a slump from the typically reliable Mike Trout leaves you wondering what gravel he's got in his cleat. As for the Rays, their goodfellas Jake Mangum and Jonny Deluca are making pitchers quake in their boots with their impressive plate discipline, not to mention Brandon Lowe providing some explosive power.
Now, neither team has been completely triumphant over the other in past matchups, which have been more back and forth than my indecision on eating another donut. As for recent form, while our feathered friends from L.A hold a more impressive W-L record, the Rays haven't exactly been blowing minds with their performances of late.
Grab your popcorn then, because this showdown is shaping up to be tighter than my belt after Thanksgiving dinner. Now, if I were betting man, which my ex-wife seems to think is a problem, I might just lean a smidge towards... the boys from the City of Angels, by a solitary run.
Albert’s Prediction: Los Angeles Angels by 1