I have to admit \u2013 I didn\u2019t expect the Angels to still be contending for the American League West crown this late in the 2011 season. <\/p>\n
MLB Betting \u2013 Angels vs. Blue Jays Preview & Pick<\/strong><\/p>\n Date: <\/strong>Saturday, August 13, 2011 Los Angeles Angels (64-54 through August 11)<\/strong> I didn\u2019t think they had the hitting to stay in the hunt. For the most part, I was right; they\u2019re the 24th<\/sup>-highest scoring team in baseball. But the top of their rotation has been so dominant that it hasn\u2019t mattered.<\/p>\n How crazy is it that Weaver\u2019s insane numbers (above) don\u2019t even guarantee him a Cy Young? That\u2019s Justin Verlander and C.C. Sabathia\u2019s fault. Weaver\u2019s earned runs over his last 10 starts: 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 0, 1, 3, 0. Insanity. <\/p>\n He threw a complete-game shutout against Seattle his last time out and will return from his six-game suspension to start Saturday.<\/p>\n Weaver hasn\u2019t had a great offense behind him but rookie Mark Trumbo has shown pop reminiscent of a young Troy Glaus. If only Vernon Wells could learn from him. <\/p>\n The $23-million man is batting .171 this month as he returns to face the team that gleefully traded him. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Toronto Blue Jays (59-58 through August 11)<\/strong> Sign stealing aside, the Jays can be reasonably proud about playing above .500 this year as a very young team sharing a division with the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays. More and more pieces are falling into place for a future contender. Ricky Romero\u2019s ceiling looked like that of a No. 2 starter but the former first-rounder has emerged as a No. 1 this season. Eight quality stats in his last 10 tries show a lot of maturity and consistency.<\/p>\n A Jay to watch this weekend: rookie Brett Lawrie, hyped as the franchise\u2019s next big offensive star. So far, so good; the kid is batting .333 with two homers and six RBI in his first six big-league games.<\/p>\n Under is 7-2-2 in Weavers last 11 Sat. starts. As promising as Romero, Lawrie and the other young Jays look, history has taught us not to bet against the Angels when Jered Weaver faces Toronto. <\/p>\n In eight career starts against the Jays, he\u2019s 7-1 with a 2.68 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 53.2 innings. That\u2019s reason enough for me to pick L.A. on Saturday. <\/p>\n Offense should be hard to come by in this battle of aces.<\/p>\n
\nVenue: <\/strong>Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>FSW, RSN
\nLos Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays Betting Lines from Bodog.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Angels -130<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 7<\/strong>
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\nJered Weaver (14-5, 1.78)<\/p>\n
\nRicky Romero (10-9, 2.94)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nUnder is 18-6-2 in Weavers last 26 road starts.
\nTOR are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss.
\nTOR are 6-2 in Romeros last 8 starts on astroturf.
\nTOR are 2-6 in Romeros last 8 Sat. starts.
\nLAA are 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
\nUnder is 49-22-6 in the last 77 meetings.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n