Los Angeles Angels vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Predictions May 4th 2025

Angels, Tigers Set for Series Finale After Emotional Win

After enduring a tough seven-game skid, the Los Angeles Angels have a chance to come away from their home stand on a positive note as they prepare to face the Detroit Tigers in Sunday’s series finale at Angel Stadium.

The Angels’ 5-2 win Saturday night gave fans a glimpse of the team’s potential when their bullpen and defense align. For the American League-leading Tigers, it’s about finishing a successful road trip strong and recapturing the offensive firepower that carried them through most of the week.

Catch real-time betting lines and totals at the MLB Odds Page.

Jansen Redeems Rough Outing

It was a tale of two appearances for veteran closer Kenley Jansen. On Friday night, he entered a tied game and surrendered back-to-back homers, part of a six-run ninth inning for Detroit in a 9-1 blowout.

Fast forward 24 hours — and Jansen was back on the bump with two runners in scoring position and the heart of the Tigers’ lineup at the plate. This time, the 36-year-old got Riley Greene to ground out and Colt Keith to line out, sealing the save.

“You just got to go back out there,” Jansen said. “It’s a long season… crazy things happen. You control what you can and stick to the process.”

Manager Ron Washington wasn’t shy about the decision to trust Jansen again, calling him “a pro” and saying the closer wanted the ball when it mattered.

Kochanowicz vs. Olson: Sunday’s Starters

Jack Kochanowicz – RHP, Angels (1-4, 5.29 ERA)

Kochanowicz has been up-and-down this season but will look to channel his previous success vs. the Tigers. He tossed six shutout innings with five hits allowed last August in a 3-0 win against Detroit. Sunday’s start is a chance for the 23-year-old to bounce back after allowing four runs in five innings his last time out.

Reese Olson – RHP, Tigers (3-2, 3.55 ERA)

Olson has become a steady piece in Detroit’s rotation. He’s coming off a strong outing (6 IP, 2 ER) and is carrying a 3.07 ERA over his last three starts. Olson faced the Angels once last season, giving up two runs on five hits in a no-decision.

Dive into pitcher stat splits and betting trends on the MLB Picks Page.

Live Scores, Instant Updates

Register Now

Get Free Trial

Defensive Woes Cost Tigers on Saturday

Despite entering Saturday with the best record in the AL, the Tigers were undone by a pair of key mistakes in the field.

Outfielders Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter collided in the second inning, dropping a routine fly ball that resulted in an unearned run. The misplay was uncharacteristic for a Detroit team known for sharp fundamentals.

“It’s frustrating. You don’t think it’s going to be a big play, but it was,” manager A.J. Hinch said.

Detroit had 26 runs and 11 homers during its three-game win streak before being held to four hits on Saturday. The lineup will need to reset against Kochanowicz, who has limited power hitters to just one home run over his last three starts.

Find team and fielding splits at the MLB Team Page.

What to Watch For

• Can Jansen string together back-to-back successful outings? Redemption was sweet on Saturday, but his ninth-inning role remains under the microscope.
• Will Kochanowicz go deeper into the game? He has not recorded an out in the seventh inning in 2025.
• Can Detroit clean up the defense and deliver early runs? The Tigers are 13-2 when scoring first this season.

Check performance trends and situational stats on the MLB Leaderboard.

Final Prediction

The Angels have the edge in momentum, but the Tigers remain the more complete team. If Olson can continue to limit damage, and Detroit avoids defensive miscues, the visitors have a good shot to win the series.

Prediction: Tigers 4, Angels 3