Tigers vs Angels Pick: Detroit’s Mize Hopes to Maintain 2025 Rise (May 1)

• In our Tigers vs Angels pick, we analyze 2 teams heading in opposite directions
• Detroit is 19-12 and in 1st place in the AL Central; Los Angeles is 12-17 and has fallen into last place in the AL West
• The Tigers start a resurgent Casey Mize
• The Angels respond with veteran lefty Yusei Kikuchi, who has pitched better than his 0-4 record

Former 1st Overall Pick Mize Is Finding His Groove

The Tigers made Casey Mize the first overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. He was in the majors two years later and by 2021, was a key part of their starting rotation. In 2022, however, he injured his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery. In addition, he needed a back procedure. After struggling with a 2-6 record in 2024, he entered 2025 as a question mark. He is answering the questions.

In 5 starts, he has a 2.21 ERA, thrown 29.2 innings, and allowed 24 hits and 7 runs. Mize has accrued 23 strikeouts and walked only 7.

If he continues this trend, the combination of Mize and Tarik Skubal makes Detroit very dangerous in the postseason.

The Angels have limited experience against Mize, though Tim Anderson is 3 for 13 and Jorge Soler is 1 for 11 with a double.

Detroit is getting its offense from surprising sources. Spencer Torkelson, who had been verging on being categorized as a bust, has an OPS hovering around .900. Even Javier Baez, previously in the argument for the worst free agent signing in history, is contributing with a batting average near .300.

Kikuchi’s Record Is Misleading

The Angels signed Yusei Kikuchi for stability in the starting rotation. Won-lost record is no longer looked at as a determinative factor as to how well or poorly a pitcher has pitched, but an 0-4 record is unsightly.

Kikuchi’s last start was his only truly “bad” one as the Twins bashed him for 4 runs and 9 hits in 2 innings. Apart from that, he’s been solid enough. The problem is that the Angels have fallen to their predicted depths.

For the Tigers, Torkelson is 2 for 2 against Kikuchi with a double and a home run. Gleyber Torres is 10 for 28 with 2 doubles and a home run. Andy Ibanez is 2 for 5 with a double. Baez is 1 for 6 with a double.

LA is a feast or famine team, hitting plenty of home runs but little else. Star Mike Trout is a shadow of his former historic self, batting below .200. Taylor Ward is hitting for power, but is also below .200. Star shortstop Zach Neto has returned from injury and has an OPS just shy of 1.000.

Tigers vs Angels Pick: Mize Will Keep Rolling

The Tigers are looking like the class of the AL Central, and a big part of that is Mize. The righty will keep his hot streak rolling and beat the Angels.