Detroit Tigers vs La Angels Angels Picks and Predictions August 27th 2024

From Comerica Park in Detroit, we have the Angels and Tigers facing off in an AL matchup. The Tigers are the heavy favorite on the money line, with their odds sitting at -160, while the Angels are at +135. Today’s over/under line is at 9.5 runs.

First pitch for this one is set for 6:40 PM ET, and BSDET will be televising this one. Johnny Cueto will go for the Angels, while the Tigers are starting Brant Hurter. Detroit comes in with a record of 66-66, while the Angels are 54-77.

Johnny Cueto and the Angels are on the road to take on the Tigers today. In his first start of the season, Cueto took a loss against the Royals, giving up 3 runs over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out 8 and gave up 2 home runs.

For the season, the Angels are averaging just 3.9 runs per game, which is 27th in the MLB. Their team batting average of .232 is also near the bottom of the league at 20th. The Angels have also struggled in the power department, as their 128 home runs is 23rd in the league. One bright spot has been the play of Zach Neto and Jo Adell, who are the team’s top two home run hitters.

Adell has 18 homers this season but is batting just .211 overall. However, he has been hot of late, going 8/24 in his last seven games. Neto has also been swinging the bat well of late, going deep twice in his last seven games, but he is batting just .185 in that stretch. Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel are both on notable hitting streaks for the Angels.

Brant Hurter will be making his first start of the season for the Tigers, as he has been used out of the bullpen in his first four appearances. He has been a bit up and down, as he has a win, a loss, and two no-decisions. In his last outing, he went 3 2/3 innings and gave up 2 earned runs on 3 hits and 1 home run.

Riley Greene has been the Tigers’ top power threat this season, as he leads the team with 18 home runs and 55 RBIs, while also batting a solid .263. Greene has also been hot of late, as he is currently on a four-game hitting streak. Colt Keith has also been swinging a hot bat, going 15/35 in his last eight games with one homer and eight RBIs. This has helped him move his season batting average up to .266.

As a team, the Tigers are averaging 4.3 runs per game, which is 18th in the league. They are also just 19th in team batting average and have a collective on-base percentage of just .298. Detroit’s team walk and slugging percentage numbers are also near the bottom of the league.

The Detroit Tigers are on a hot streak as they get ready to host the Los Angeles Angels in a three-game series starting Tuesday night. Riding a four-game winning streak and currently holding a .500 record, the Tigers are eyeing an opportunity to move above the .500 mark for the first time since early June. Meanwhile, the Angels are in desperate need of a turnaround, having lost five straight games and struggling to find their footing.

Johnny Cueto’s Return to the Majors

All eyes will be on Johnny Cueto as he makes his second major league start of the season for the Angels. The 38-year-old veteran was recalled from Triple-A last week and delivered a solid performance against the Kansas City Royals. Despite allowing three runs on eight hits over 6 1/3 innings, Cueto showed that he still has the ability to contribute at the major league level. However, the Angels’ offense didn’t back him up, leading to a 3-0 shutout loss.

Cueto’s journey back to the majors hasn’t been easy. After a rough season with Miami in 2023, where he posted a 6.02 ERA over 13 appearances, Cueto found himself released from the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate earlier this year. However, the Angels took a chance on him, signing him to a minor league deal. Cueto made the most of his opportunity, winning three of his four starts for the Salt Lake Bees before being called up to Los Angeles.

Expressing his gratitude, Cueto said, “I feel very happy. I feel thankful. Thankful to the team for this opportunity.” Historically, Cueto has fared well against the Tigers, with a 2.79 ERA in seven career starts against Detroit.

Brant Hurter’s Major League Starting Debut

Opposing Cueto will be Detroit’s rookie left-hander Brant Hurter, who will be making his first major league start. Hurter, called up from Triple-A Toledo earlier this month, has shown promise in four relief appearances, posting a 3.57 ERA. In his most recent outing against the Chicago Cubs, Hurter pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and earning his first career win.

Hurter has been impressive in his limited action, striking out 17 batters while walking only one in 17 2/3 innings. The Tigers will be looking for him to build on this success as they aim to continue their winning ways.

Tigers Riding a Wave of Momentum

The Tigers enter this series on a high note after sweeping a four-game road series against the Chicago White Sox, capped by a 6-3 victory on Monday night. This marks the first time Detroit has reached a .500 record since early June, and the team is determined to keep the momentum going.

One of the key contributors to the Tigers’ recent success has been first baseman Spencer Torkelson. Celebrating his 25th birthday on Monday, Torkelson delivered a standout performance with a single, a double, and a three-run homer. Since being recalled from Triple-A Toledo, Torkelson has been on fire, recording 12 hits, including six extra-base hits, in nine games.

Angels Struggling to Find Form

The Angels, on the other hand, are in the midst of a tough stretch. They’ve lost five straight games and have dropped eight of their last nine, including being swept in a four-game series by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Angels had Monday off, giving them a chance to regroup before facing the Tigers.

For the Angels, snapping their losing streak will require more consistent production on both sides of the ball. While Cueto’s veteran presence could provide a stabilizing force on the mound, the offense will need to step up after being shut out in their last game.

Key Matchup to Watch

This series opener presents a fascinating contrast: the seasoned veteran Johnny Cueto looking to prove he still has what it takes at the major league level, versus the young rookie Brant Hurter eager to make his mark in his first start. With the Tigers surging and the Angels struggling, this game could set the tone for the rest of the series.

The Tigers have the momentum and home-field advantage, but the Angels are desperate for a win. This combination should make for an exciting and unpredictable matchup as both teams battle to achieve their season goals.

Today’s Tigers vs. Angels matchup has the highest projected runs total in the league, and our lean would be towards the over. As for a straight-up pick, we are leaning towards the Tigers to come out on top. The Tigers offense has the best team runs scored projection, and Brant Hurter has the lowest hits allowed projection among today’s starters.