Series Preview: Angels @ Twins (Splitsy)

Angels 35-28
Twins 27-32

Last time the Twins and Angels squared off, they split a 4 game series at the Big A. Coincidently enough, all 6 pitchers in this upcoming series pitched in that early May series. The Twins are 5 for their last 10 and and have lost 9 out of their last 14. The Angels are off to a good start in June and have gone 5-1 (thanks in part to playing bad teams, but shhhhh).

Honestly, the teams are probably semi evenly matched. The Angels are going to have to put runs on the board and have only scored 27 over their last 7 games, compared to the Twins who have logged 37 runs over their past 7 games.

Know your foe:

Twins - who’s hot (last 7 days):

Eduardo Escobar .500 OBP, 4 home runs, 11 RBIs
Brian Dozier .448 OBP, 1 home run
Eddie Rosario .424 OBP, 4 home runs, 8 RBIs

Weather Forecast

GAME 1

Garrett Richards (3.25 ERA) v. Lance Lynn (5.46 ERA)
Friday, June 8th @ 5:10PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

Richards gave up 3 runs on 5 hits over 5.1 innings last time he faced the Twins. It was the ONLY game so far this year in which he has not given up a walk. In his last 4 starts, Richards hasn’t made it out of the 6th inning and he has a 3.60 ERA with 24 Ks and 15 walks over 20 innings. Seriously, cut down on those walks dude!

Pitch Arsenal:

Lance Lynn gave up 4 runs on 8 hits in 4.2 innings when he last faced the Angels. Aside from a scoreless start against Houston 2 starts back, he’s had a rough time this year and has given up 5 or 6 runs in 5 of his last 6 starts.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: Richards did alright against the Twins last time and should be sharper in this outing. Lynn has been terrible yet somehow held the Astros scoreless. Anything can happen but this should lean Angels.

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GAME 2

Tyler Skaggs (3.27 ERA) v. Kyle Gibson (3.54 ERA)
Saturday, June 9th @ 11:10AM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

Tyler Skaggs is at or near a career best in WHIP, ERA, walks allowed, K rate, etc. You get the drift. He’s having a good season. Skaggs got a no decision thanks to a Jim Johnson blown save back in May after throwing 6 innings with 7 Ks and allowing only 2 runs (solo shots to Dozier and Rosario).

Pitch Arsenal:

Gibson was good agains the Angels last time around. How good? He only allowed 3 hits over 6 innings and one of those was against Simmons who is sitting this one out. Gibson has been pretty good this year and like Skaggs, is currently sitting at the lowest ERA of his career. He’s been walking A TON though and allows a walk about every other inning.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: It’s a good pitching matchup. Let’s hope the Angels take advantage of some walks (seriously - Gibson has them in EVERY game), and Skaggs can keep doing Skaggsy things.

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GAME 3

Nick Tropeano (4.35 ERA) v. Fernando Romero (3.96 ERA)
Sunday, June 10th @ 11:10AM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Summary:

Nick Tropeano has 2 wins in his last 3 starts but also a 5.40 ERA over his last 4 starts. He’s pretty much been the epitome of a 5th starter (or 6th in the Angels case). He’s been pretty average most games with two great starts and a few bad ones. Against the Twins he threw 6 innings and gave up 3 runs on 5 hits. I’ll take that kind of performance from him to anchor this series.

Pitch Arsenal:

Romero is good and has some impressive stuff but he did have a hiccup against the Royals where he allowed 8 runs over 1.2 innings. They were just teeing off on him. Outside of that game he has a 2.10 ERA this season over his other 6 games. Romero held the Angels to just 1 run on 5 hits over 5 innings but they squeaked out a 2-1 victory thanks to a pitching gem by Ohtani.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: Tropeano v. the young rookie Romero doesn’t exactly give me warm fuzzies. Might be the game we need the bullpen the most.

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Overall Verdict: The Angels could win this series but the Twins have been hard to predict this year. They really need to pull off at least 2 games before they head to Seattle.

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