On Wednesday, May 7, the Blue Jays (17–16) travel to Anaheim to play the Angels (14–19) at Angel Stadium in a midweek matchup. The Angels will counter with left-hander Reid Detmers, while Toronto will send right-hander Kevin Gausman to the mound. This game offers interesting pitching dynamics and power potential on both sides as both teams try to make headway in their respective division races. Get expert insight on pitching matchups, core hitters, and strategy angles for this game.
Intro & Slate Overview
Today’s LAA vs TOR MLB DFS slate features a 9-game lineup including a West vs East clash between the Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium. The venue, Angel Stadium, will host a compelling matchup with a Vegas total of 8.5 and a spread favoring TOR by -1.5.
Check out our other prediction for the Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals game!
Top Pitching Picks
Starting pitcher K. Gausman comes into this matchup priced at €9,600 and will face an Angels team that’s been below league average in wOBA versus right-handed pitching. With elite strikeout upside and consistent innings volume, he’s a top-tier option today. On the flip side, R. Detmers is available at a lower cost of €8,200, making him a solid SP2 in GPPs given his home splits and strikeout potential.
Top Hitter & Matchups
Among hitters, keep an eye on B. Bichette from TOR, who is priced at €4,900. Facing a left-handed pitcher and playing in a neutral-to-hitter-friendly park like Angel Stadium, he’s in an ideal matchup. Bichette’s ISO and wOBA splits against lefties make him a viable option for both cash games and GPP builds.
Stack Strategy
With the game total set at 8.5 and TOR projected with one of the higher implied totals, stacking this lineup makes strategic sense. Anchoring stacks with B. Bichette and power bats like V. Guerrero Jr. could lead to tournament-breaking upside, especially if Detmers struggles early.
Value Plays
For value under €3,500, monitor lineups for low-salary options in key batting positions. J. Schneider (TOR) or M. Moniak (LAA), if leading off or batting top-five, could provide the necessary salary relief and upside for GPP formats.
Weather Impact
Weather at Angel Stadium is expected to be clear with light wind blowing out to left field at around 9mph. While not a major factor, this wind direction can slightly enhance power numbers for right-handed bats. As always, confirm with radar before lock.
Betting Angle & Game Script
From a betting standpoint, the line sits at TOR -1.5 with a total of 8.5. This points toward a controlled game script with potential for late scoring. DFS players can take advantage by targeting top-of-lineup bats and high-leverage bullpen matchups, or going contrarian with low-ownership pitchers.
Check out our other prediction for the Washington Nationals vs. Cleveland Guardians game!
Pitching Strategy Deep Dive
K. Gausman is expected to be among the more popular pitchers on the slate, especially given his matchup versus an Angels team with a K-rate near 24% vs righties. At €9,600, he’s cash-viable with double-digit strikeout potential. R. Detmers, at €8,200, is a more volatile GPP-only play, but he does have home advantage and a TOR team that can be streaky against lefties.
Game Environment Analysis
Angel Stadium offers an average run environment, but today’s light wind to left could aid hitters slightly. With a Vegas total of 8.5 and TOR favored by -1.5, the expected scoring leans toward Toronto. This game is a solid stacking spot for GPPs, especially if you anticipate early runs and bullpen exposure.
Advanced Metrics Matchup
The Angels rank bottom-five in OPS vs RHP, while Toronto is above average in ISO vs LHP. Gausman also holds a swinging strike rate over 13%, while Detmers has allowed a .338 wOBA to right-handed bats this season.
Slate Construction & Ownership Leverage
On a 9-game slate, this matchup might fly slightly under the radar due to bigger-name contests elsewhere. That makes stacking TOR a leverage opportunity, and one-off value plays from LAA can provide contrarian edge in large-field formats.
Check out our other prediction for the Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays game!
Final Thoughts & Strategy Wrap-up
Wednesday’s slate presents a balance of high-salary pitchers and mid-tier bats. With conditions in Anaheim modestly favoring hitters and ownership likely clustering around more prominent matchups, building GPP lineups with Toronto stacks and selective exposure to K. Gausman could prove optimal. Keep tabs on confirmed lineups and pivot to value as needed to maximize ceiling and differentiation.
Sources: https://baseball.realgm.com/, https://www.betus.com.pa/sportsbook/mlb/, https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/mlb, https://www.statsinsider.com.au/
