The Mariners swept the Angels in their early August series and have won 7 of their 13 matchups this year. Seattle isn't exactly tearing up the league with their 176 runs since All Star break, which is 13th in the AL. The Angels are 10th with 189. The Mariners are also toward the bottom in AVG and homeruns - the later of which they share 13th place with the Angels. Only the Royals and White Sox have hit less homeruns than the Angels and Mariners since the break.
Also since the break, the Angels have a team ERA of 4.24 which is good for 12th place. Surprisingly, the Mariners are in 13th place with a 4.52 ERA. Both teams have pretty even records in the second half with the Angels sitting at exactly the .500 mark and the Mariners are two games over.
The Mariners have been pulling a page out of the Angels playbook lately, and have lost 8 of their last 9 games, including a 14-1 pummeling by the Rangers on Wednesday.
Biggest question: Can the Angels keep the Mariners to their recent losing ways?
Brett Oberholtzer vs. Ariel Miranda Friday, September 2nd, 2016 @ 7:10PM
Southpaw showdown
Brett Oberholtzer v. Mariners Current Roster (Career)
AB
H
BAA
K%
HR
FIP
58
15
.259
15.9
1
3.55
Ariel Miranda v. Angels Current Roster (Career)
AB
H
BAA
K%
HR
FIP
14
3
.214
11.1
0
4.76
Players/Stats to watch:
Chris Iannetta v. Brett Oberholtzer (Last 5 years)
AB
H
RBI
HR
BA
9
4
3
1
.444
Oberholtzer is still not stretched out very far, but he did allow just 1 run in 3 innings on 59 pitches in his last outing; and first start as an Angel. Oberholtzer was rocked in his first appearance as an Angel, but since then in 3 games he has allowed just 1 run in 7.1 IP. The 26 year old shut-out Seattle over 8 strong innings when he faced them back in 2015 as an Astro.
27 year old Miranda only has 23.2 big league innings under his belt but has yet to give up more than 3 runs in a start (as few as he's had). He gave up 3 runs in 5 innings when he faced the Angels a few weeks back.
VERDICT: This game depends on the Angels bullpen since it's unlikely Oberholtzer goes more than 4 innings (5 at the most). Probably leans Angels.
Tyler Skaggs vs. Taijuan Walker Saturday, September 3rd, 2016 @ 6:10PM
Another pitcher that Trout owns!
Tyler Skaggs v. Mariners Current Roster (Career)
AB
H
BAA
K%
HR
FIP
60
21
.350
22.1
3
5.05
Taijuan Walker v. Angels Current Roster (Career)
AB
H
BAA
K%
HR
FIP
55
14
.255
25.0
2
3.12
Players/Stats to watch:
Chris Iannetta v. Tyler Skaggs (Last 5 years)
AB
H
RBI
HR
BA
4
3
1
0
.600
Robinson Cano v. Tyler Skaggs (Last 5 years)
AB
H
RBI
HR
BA
9
5
3
0
.556
Kyle Seager v. Tyler Skaggs (Last 5 years)
AB
H
RBI
HR
BA
10
5
1
1
.500
Mike Trout v. Taijuan Walker (Last 5 years)
AB
H
RBI
HR
BA
10
8
5
2
.800
Skaggs had a great bounceback start last week when he shut out a strong Tigers team over 6 innings and struck out 6 while allowing just 2 hits. The Mariners beat up on him on a few weeks back and knocked him out after just 3.1 IP and 4 runs allowed.
Mike Trout loves Seattle pitching and he completely owns Felix Hernandez and Taijuan Walker. Walker has had an okay year, but he's allowed 14 runs in his last 3 starts though 17 IP. In 10 of his 19 starts this year, he's allowed 4 or more runs. The Angels trashed him a few weeks back when they scored 6 off him through only 4 innings.
VERDICT: I think Skaggs will have another strong start and the Angels will beat up on Taijuan again.
Matt Shoemaker vs. Hisashi Iwakuma Sunday, September 4th, 2016 @ 1:10PM
Matt Shoemaker v. Mariners Current Roster (Career)
AB
H
BAA
K%
HR
FIP
140
36
.257
18.1
8
4.93
Hisashi Iwakuma v. Angels Current Roster (Career)
AB
H
BAA
K%
HR
FIP
183
36
.197
17.4
6
3.75
Players/Stats to watch:
Leonys Martin v. Matt Shoemaker(Last 5 years)
AB
H
RBI
HR
BA
19
8
3
1
.421
Nelson Cruz v. Matt Shoemaker (Last 5 years)
AB
H
RBI
HR
BA
20
7
5
2
.350
Seth Smith v. Matt Shoemaker (Last 5 years)
AB
H
RBI
HR
BA
17
6
2
2
.353
Matt Shoemaker has been back on his game lately, has thrown less than 6 innings in his last 8 starts and has only given up 4 ER in his last 3 starts through 20 innings. He's faced the Mariners 3 times in 2016 and aside from his horrible start in April, he's pitched 14 innings his last two times on the mound vs. Seattle and allowed 5 runs and 2 walks.
Iwakuma is having a bit of a down year with a 4.01 ERA and he is 2-1 in 3 starts vs. the Halos. Against the Angels, he's given up 8 ER in 21.1 IP over those three starts. Iwakuma has been pretty consistent this year but was beat up bad by the Rangers his last time out and only lasted 3 innings and gave up 5 runs.
VERDICT: I think Shoemaker should out duel Iwakuma
OVERALL VERDICT: The Angels have a good shot at winning the series, maybe even a sweep.