The Baltimore Orioles go west for Monday’s series opener with the Los Angeles Angels and turn to a literal globetrotter in Albert Suarez to keep the team’s momentum going on the mound.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Los Angeles Angels (-125, 8.5)
Suarez played internationally for many different leagues from 2018-2023 before signing with the Baltimore Orioles and took advantage of his opportunity to start at a moment’s notice last Wednesday, hurling 5 2⁄3 innings of scoreless baseball against the Minnesota Twins.
Suarez had 19 strikeouts to just two walks in his 15 2⁄3 innings in Spring Training and though his ERA for Triple-A Norfolk was 5.87 before getting called up last week, he had 17 strikeouts to just one walk in 15 1⁄3 innings in the minor leagues this season.
Backing up Suarez is an Orioles offense that entered Sunday with the most home runs of any MLB team while their 5.9 runs per game on the road leads the American League. However, Baltimore will have to face one of their toughest tests this season.
Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers has allowed just four runs, three of which were earned, in four starts this season for a 1.19 ERA with 11.9 strikeouts to 2.8 walks per nine innings.
Both bullpens have had their issues this season, but the Orioles have been a bit more steady. Baltimore entered Sunday with a 4.37 ERA, which is 19th in the league while the Angels are 22nd with a 4.81 ERA with an offense that is quite top-heavy.
The Angels have 22 home runs in 22 games this season with Mike Trout and Taylor Ward accounting for 14 of those dingers. Meanwhile, the team is averaging just under 4.2 runs per game.
Both starting pitchers have yet to give up more than two runs in an MLB game this season, but in this one Suarez has the better offense and bullpen backing him up, which will extend the Angels losing streak to five games.
The Play: Orioles +105
See which team DraftKings bettors are backing.
