Series Preview: Angels @ Rockies (Mile high quickie)

Angels (21-13) v. Rockies (20-15)

Both of these teams come in to this series HOT and we could see some fireworks way up there at 5,200 feet. The Rockies are riding a 5 game winning streak against the Cubs and Mets on the road while the Angels have won 5 of their last 6.

This duo played 4 games in 2015 and 3 games in 2012 with the Angels winning all 7 and they are 24-8 overall against the Rockies.

Know your foe:

Rockies: who’s hot (last 7 days):
Gerardo Parra .450 OBP, 3 doubles, 1 stolen base
Charlie Blackmon .517 OBP, 2 home runs, 2 stolen bases
Nolan Arenado .393 OBP, 4 home runs, 9 RBIs
Chris Ianetta??? .385 OBP, 1 home run
Adam Ottavino 4 IP, 1 hit, 7 Ks

Stats and data courtesy of BaseballSavant, MLB.com, and FanGraphs

GAME 1

Andrew Heaney (5.31 ERA) v. Jon Gray (4.99 ERA)
Tuesday, May 8th @ 5:40PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Relevant Stats

Summary:

Over his last two starts (Yankees and Orioles), Heaney has struck out 11 and allowed only 2 runs on 10 hits. The reality is that Heaney has only had one bad start out of 4 so far this season. He has started one game at Coors field and went 7.1 innings with 5 Ks and a 2.45 ERA.

Pitch arsenal:

Jon Gray has made 7 starts with 41 Ks over 39.2 innings. He had some rough games against the Nationals, Cubs, and Padres, but over his last two games he’s tossed 13 innings, struck out 17 and allowed just 1 run. Gray has a .323 BAA at home with 7.31 ERA.

Pitch arsenal:

Verdict: Both pitchers are coming off strong starts but the are both also home run prone starting in a hitters ballpark. Going to be fun to see which way this one falls but either team certainly has a shot at the win.

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GAME 2

Jaime Barria (3.46 ERA) v. Tyler Anderson (3.78 ERA)
Wednesday, May 9th @ 12:10PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Relevant Stats

N/A

Summary:

Hard to believe Barria is still only 21 years old. He’s far from a dominating pitcher but has put together a decent 3 starts with a 6 inning, 85 pitch, 2 run outing against the Orioles last week. He’s a bit fly ball prone so hopefully that doesn’t bite him at Coors Field.

Pitch arsenal:

Despite walking a batter every other inning, Tyler Anderson has a 3.78 ERA and 37 Ks over 33 innings. He’s also been better at home (3.00 ERA) vs. the road (4.22 ERA). He hasn’t faced many of the Angels hitters but Zack Cozart is 1 for 3 and Rene Rivera 2 for 2 with 2 doubles against Anderson.

Pitch arsenal:

Verdict: The more experienced Anderson has a better track record but Barria has pitched well so far so it’s hard to count him out in this one.

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Overall Verdict: Lots of runz!!! Probably. I mean it is Coors Field and the Angels have a potent offense that has been good on the road. That certainly bodes well for a series split or 2 game sweep.

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