The Most Dominant Pitcher in Baseball Right Now: Blue Jays vs Angels Prediction

Jose Soriano is doing something that does not happen very often in professional baseball. Through five starts in 2026, the Los Angeles Angels right-hander has a 0.28 ERA — one of the most dominant early-season performances in modern baseball history. Tonight he takes the mound at Angel Stadium in Anaheim against the Toronto Blue Jays, with first pitch at 3:07 PM ET.

The Soriano File

The numbers require a double-take. In 32.2 innings pitched across five starts, Soriano has allowed just 11 hits, struck out 39 batters, and surrendered a single home run. His WHIP is 0.73. He has won every single one of his starts:

• vs. Houston: 6 IP, 4 H, 7 K — Angels win 3-0
• vs. Chicago Cubs: 6 IP, 2 H, 4 K — Angels win 2-0
• vs. Atlanta: 8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 10 K — Angels win 6-2
• vs. Cincinnati: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 10 K — Angels win 9-6
• vs. San Diego: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 8 K — Angels win 8-0

He is coming off back-to-back double-digit strikeout performances and has not allowed a run in three consecutive outings. At 0.28 ERA after five starts, Soriano is not just pitching well — he is in historically rare territory.

The Blue Jays Starter

Eric Lauer draws the assignment for Toronto, and the matchup could not be more lopsided. Lauer sits at 1-3 with a 7.13 ERA and 1.47 WHIP on the season. He has been hit hard in nearly every outing and has not shown signs of turning it around. The Blue Jays have actually won two of the three games in this series already — Toronto took April 20 (5-2) and April 21 (4-2) — but those games featured different pitchers. Today belongs to Soriano and Lauer, and the gap between them is enormous.

Tonight’s Odds

The books have taken notice of what Soriano is doing, and so have bettors.

Angels -157, Blue Jays +132. The total sits at 8, suggesting the books expect some offense from Toronto’s side against Lauer. Given how locked in Soriano has been, the Angels’ side could come in significantly under that number.

The Angels’ Lineup

Mike Trout is healthy and back in the lineup, which changes everything for Los Angeles. In 23 games he is hitting .235 with 7 home runs, 22 runs scored, and 23 walks — his elite plate discipline and power are back in full effect. Jorge Soler leads the team with 19 RBI and 5 home runs. Zach Neto has added 5 home runs of his own. Jo Adell is batting .278 and Luis O’Hoppe rounds out a lineup that has hit 34 home runs in just 24 games. The Angels are not just relying on Soriano to win — they can score runs.

Blue Jays Weapons

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is on a hot streak at .354 average, 2 home runs, and 12 RBI. Andres Gimenez has 3 home runs. Daulton Varsho adds 3 more. Ernie Clement is hitting .297. Toronto can score, but they are dealing with injuries — George Springer is day-to-day with a toe issue and Jose Berrios (elbow) is unavailable until at least April 27. The lineup has pieces but is not at full strength.

Prediction and Best Bet

This is the kind of game you circle on the calendar when you see the pitching matchup. Soriano at 0.28 ERA against Lauer at 7.13 ERA is as extreme a contrast as you will find anywhere in baseball. The Angels may have lost the last four games overall, but today Soriano pitches — and when Soriano pitches, the Angels win.

• Prediction: Angels 4, Blue Jays 1
• Best Bet: Angels moneyline (-157)

Back Los Angeles at -157. Soriano has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball through the first month of the season, and Lauer has been one of the worst starters in the American League. Trout, Soler, and Neto will do enough damage to give the Angels a comfortable win and keep Soriano’s historic run going.