Series Preview: White Sox @ Angels (If you rebuild it..)

The Angels are finally playing teams outside of the AL West, and isn’t it glorious? This time they get to face the rebuilding Chicago White Sox who traded away one of the best pitchers in baseball for a plethora of young talent - most of whom aren’t quite major league ready.

Last year, the Angels were 5-2 against the White Sox, with their losses coming at the hands of Chris Sale and Mat Latos.

For all their offensive woes, the Angels have scored a few more runs than the White Sox this season, and hit a handful more of homeruns. On paper, their offensive output seems to be pretty comparable. The White Sox have had some of the better pitching in the league so far this year, and two of their best starters will line up against the Halos in this series.

Unlike the Halos, the White Sox actually have 3 dudes hitting over .300 and fewer players who are hovering below or close to the Mendoza line.

Question: Can the Angels offense produce against Holland and Gonzalez?

GAME 1

Jesse Chavez v. Mike Pelfrey
Monday, May 14th @ 7:07PM

There is some sort of bats in the Pelfrey joke here somewhere...

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats:

None

Summary:

Mike Pelfrey isn’t off to a great start this year and in his 4 games, he has given up 11 ER in 19 IP with 7 walks and only 6 Ks. Pelfrey, who pitched for the Tigers in 2016 and Twins in 2015, hasn’t faced the Angels since September 2015.

Jesse Chavez has been about what was expected this year - a 4ish ERA kinda guy who pitches around 6 innings each time he throws. He hasn’t really seen most of this current White Sox lineup in his career.

Verdict: Pelfrey isn’t really the pitcher he once was (which was fairly mediocre), so the Angels definitely have the edge in this game.

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GAME 2

JC Ramirez v. Derek Holland
Tuesday, May 15th @ 7:07PM

Ramirez will be looking to rebound for his last (rough) outing

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats:

Summary:

Derek Holland is off to a great start with a 2.43 ERA and 33 Ks in 40.2 IP. He faced the Angels 4 times in 2016 as a member of the Rangers and was 1-3 with 9 runs allowed in 22 IP. Trout and Pujols have both had pretty good success with him in the past.

JC Ramirez already has the team’s best starter WAR at 0.5 this year. He had a rough time out his last appearance, so will be looking for a rebound. He hasn’t ever faced the White Sox before other than 2 plate appearances by Matt Davidson and Tim Anderson.

Verdict: I will be attending this game so I fully expect an Angels win, even though they are facing the tough Holland.

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GAME 3

Matt Shoemaker v. Miguel Gonzalez
Wednesday, May 16th @ 7:07PM

Shoemaker is good again. Right? This will be a battle.

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats:

Summary:

32-year-old Miguel Gonzalez has been one of the White Sox’s better pitchers this year. he has a 3-3 record and 3.83 ERA but a pretty mediocre 1.410 WHIP. He’s coming off a beating at the hands of the Padres when he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings on Friday. He faced the Angels last July and gave up 3 runs in 6 innings for the loss.

Matt Shoemaker was lights out on Friday, rebounding from a 5 run game his start before. He’s allowed 3 or fewer runs in 6 of his 8 starts this year and has struck out 41 in 44 IP.

Verdict: Might be a tight game but Shoemaker should have the edge here.

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Overall Verdict: Angels should take 2 out of 3 games in this set, but don’t be surprised if they drop 2 from lack of offense.