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Series Preview: Angels @ Royals (Back to last)

The Angels were briefly out of the cellar this past week until they ran into the Astros

By Jessica DeLine
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Angels only won 1 game out of 7 against the Royals in 2015 but swept them at home back in April of this year.  Unfortunately, two of our starting pitchers for that series (Richards & Tropeano) are now on the DL.  The Angels sure could use some wins after coming off an embarrassing and soul-crushing sweep at the hands of the Astros.

The Royals are only 6-13 during the month of July, have been floundering, and are now 8 games out of first place in the AL Central.  Pitching has been a problem and the Royals are last place in the American League in team ERA as well as pitching WAR over the past week.  The Royals have also scored fewer runs in July than anyone except for the White Sox, and are 3rd from last in batting average.

For their part, the Angels had been really good in July up until this last series and were near the top in most offensive categories as well as pitching.  The bottom fell out over this past weekend in Houston, though the Halos still have the 2nd most runs scored in July and are second in batting average.  Their pitching has now dropped to 7th in ERA and 14th in WHIP during the month.

Biggest question(s): Trade deadline is Sunday.  What moves will the Angels make this week?

Game 1
Hector Santiago vs. Ian Kennedy
Monday, July 25th, 2016 @ 5:15PM

Hectiago is up first.

Hector Santiago v. Current Royals Roster (career)
AB H HR BB% K% BAA FIP
77 16 3 8.2 24.7 .208 4.10
Ian Kennedy v. Current Angels Roster (career)
AB H HR BB% K% BAA FIP
70 14 4 13.5 25.8 .200 5.51

Players/Stats to watch:
Albert Pujols v. Albert Pujols (last 5 years)
AB H RBI HR BA
10 4 54 3 .400
Hector Santiago has been throwing pretty well since the middle of June, though he did have a 6 run hiccup against the A's at the end of June.  In his last 4 games, he's only allowed 4 total runs and left his opponents scoreless in two of those starts.  Santiago lost to the Royals both times he faced them in 2015, giving up 5 runs over his two starts.
Ian Kennedy gave up 7 runs in his last start against the Indians. He's had a pretty decent year with a 4.28 ERA and 114 Ks in 109 innings.  Kennedy has given up 26 home runs though, so long balls have been a problem for him this year, including the two he gave up to Albert Pujols back in April.  Kennedy took that loss in that game and he gave up 5 runs through 6 innings.
VERDICT: Angels will probably kick off the series with a win.

Game 2
Tyler Skaggs vs. TBD
Tuesday, July 26th, 2016 @ 5:15PM

Skaggs is finally back after a two year absence.

Tyler Skaggs AAA Stats (2016)
G IP ER HR SO BA ERA
7 32.1 9 2 45 .171 1.67
Tyler Skaggs is the Angel's recent poster child for returning from TJ surgery.  You can bet Andrew Heaney, Nick Tropeano, and Garrett Richards will be keeping an eye on his progress.  He's been lights out in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, so it will be exciting to see how that translates to big league hitters.
VERDICT: Don't know who's pitching yet for the Royals, but I'm going with Skaggs on this one.
Game 3
Matt Shoemaker vs. Danny Duffy
Wednesday, July 27th, 2016 @ 5:15PM

Shoey closes the series.

Matt Shoemaker v. Current Royals Roster (career)
AB H HR BB% K% BAA FIP
56 27 2 0 8.5 .482 4.94
Danny Duffy v. Current Angels Roster (2015-2016)
AB H HR BB% K% BAA FIP
36 7 1 14 4.7 .194 6.13
Players/Stats to watch:
Eric Hosmer v. Matt Shoemaker (last 5 years)
AB H RBI HR BA
8 4 2 0 .500
Salvador Perez v. Matt Shoemaker (last 5 years)
AB H RBI HR BA
8 6 2 1 .750
Mike Trout v. Danny Duffy (last 5 years)
AB H RBI HR BA
6 3 2 1 .500
Matt Shoemaker hasn't faced the Royals this year, but in his last two starts against them in 2015 and 2014, he gave up 14 runs in 5.2 innings.  It's been rough, but that was then and this is now.  Shoemaker is pitching with a new mission this year and since May 21st, has been one of the best pitchers around.
Danny Duffy has meant ice to opposing teams he has frozen out this year.  He's sitting on a 3.14 ERA this year with 105 Ks in 94.2 IP.  In his last 5 starts, he is 4-0 and hasn't gone less than 6.1 innings.  Duffy hasn't lost an outing since June 6th.
VERDICT: This could be a tough one.  Shoemaker needs run support and Duffy has been hard to beat.  I say it's a toss up and largely depends on how long Duffy lasts.

OVERALL VERDICT: Tough series, but a win is possible.

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