Series Preview: Orioles @ Angels (We got this, right?)

The Angels are now 3-8 since their hot streak ended on a chilly Kansas City day. Offense has been notably absent and they enter this series on the heels of a 3 game sweep against the Yankees. Pitching has been inconsistent and fans (as well as players) are very frustrated. Can the Angels turn around the offensive ship as they start over with a new month?

Know your foe:

Orioles who’s hot (last 7 days):
Manny Machado .381 AVG, 1 HR
Pedro Alvarez .400 OBP, 4 HRs
Mychal Givens 3 IP, 5 Ks, 0 walks, 2 hits

Milestone Watch for this series:

3000 hits: Albert Pujols is only 4 hits away and should become the next Mr. 3000 to join this club during this series.

1937 RBIs: Pujols is 5 RBIs shy of tying Ty Cobb for 7th on the all time list for RBIs.

GAME 1

Nick Tropeano v. Alex Cobb
Tuesday, May 1st @ 7:07PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Relevant Stats

Summary:

Nick “Nitro” Tropeano had a great scoreless start against the Royals but over his last 2 starts against the Red Sox and Astros, he’s allowed 9 runs in 10.2 innings. In those games he’s also allowed 3 home runs, walked 5, and gave up 11 hits. It’s not pretty. But at least way back in 2016, he held the Orioles to 1 run over 6 innings.

Alex Cobb has had a, um, “rough” start to the season. In 3 starts he’s yet to last more than 4.2 innings and in each start he’s give up 10 hits and 5 or more runs for a 13.11 ERA on the season. Last time the Angels played him, however, he shut them down with 1 run allowed over 7.2 innings.

Verdict: Both pitchers have been a bit shaky to start the season so we should see lots of hits right? The way baseball works it will probably be 0-0 in the 7th inning. That should be a sign this game go swing either way.

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GAME 2

Andrew Heaney v. Dylan Bundy
Wednesday, May 2nd @ 7:07PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Relevant Stats

Summary:

Heaney holds a 6.91 ERA this season but he was sharp against a tough Yankees squad with just 1 hit allowed and 9 Ks over 5 innings. His start last August agains the Orioles was less than promising so hopefully we see last week’s version in this game.

Dylan Bundy has been one of the bright spots of the Orioles this year - aside from his 7 run bashing at the hands of the Rays last week. Before that, he had only allowed 5 ER over 31.2 innings. In 2018, Bundy struck out 10 over 7 innings when he faced the Angels in Anaheim.

Verdict: Bundy can be tough and he hasn’t faced the Angels much. Will need a strong showing from Heaney most likely to stay in this game.

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GAME 3

TBD v. Chris Tillman
Thursday, May 3rd @ 7:07PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Relevant Stats

Summary:

The Angels haven’t named a starter for Thursday but it could be Jaime Barria again. There really aren’t a lot of options. Barria has been decent across 7 big league innings to date with a3 runs allowed and 4 Ks.

Tillman had a pretty bad start to the year until he ran into the Tigers last week and held them to just 1 hit over 7 innings. Of course that WAS the Tigers who have been pretty terrible.

Verdict: May depend on who the Angels have start this game. But either way, we’ll need the Tillman who had some rough starts at the beginning of the season.

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Overall Verdict: Surprisingly, this isn’t a slam dunk series. Tropeano has been shaky, Bundy is good, and the offense is still sleeping. The Orioles hold an 8-20 record so anything less than a series win will be a bit embarrassing.