Series Preview: White Sox @ Angels (So you’re saying there’s a chance?)

Angels 50-50
White Sox 34-64

We are exactly 100 games into the Angels season and the Angels have won and lost exactly half of their games. That is well, less than ideal, especially given the A’s growing power, the Mariners hanging on to second place, and the Astros probably being untouchable. Four games against the terrible White Sox may be just what the Angels needs to get moving on their last 62 games of the season.

The Angels have lost 5 of their last 8 games, but are certainly coming off a high after smacking the Astros around for 14 runs - the most they’ve scored in a game since mid 2016. The White Sox have won only 4 of their last 13 games

Know your foe:
White Sox - who’s hot (July):

Omar Narvaez .467 AVG, 2 home runs
Avisail Garcia .350 AVG, 6 home runs

Weather Forecast

GAME 1

Jaime Barria (3.55 ERA) v. Lucas Giolito (6.18 ERA)
Monday, July 23rd @ 7:07 PM

Summary:

Steady Jaime Barria has a 3.56 ERA over his past 4 games and a 3.55 ERA this season. He’ll be facing the White Sox for the first time to kick off this series.

Pitch Arsenal:

Giolito Lucas’ first full season isn’t going great with a 6.18 ERA and 1.510 WHIP. He has, however, put together a couple of solid back to back outings against Houston and the Royals leading into this start. In his last 2 games he’s allowed only 1 run over 13.2 innings.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: Barria has been much more steady that Lucas this season so long as Lucas’ last two starts aren’t any indication for what happens here.

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GAME 2

Felix Pena (3.42 ERA) v. Carlos Rodon (3.56 ERA)
Tuesday, July 24th @ 7:07 PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

Felix Pena has turned into quite the capable starter for the Angels, holding down a 2.72 ERA over 5 games as as starter. He’s been held to the 74-83 pitch range in 5 of those starts so hopefully they allow him to stretch out a bit more in this one.

Pitch Arsenal:

Carlos Rodon hasn’t started as many games as the rest, but he’s been the better starter on the team in his 7 games with a 3.56 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He’s coming off a pair of strong starts against the Astros and Cardinals in which he gave up only 2 runs in 13.1 innings.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: Should be a good matchup. Let’s see who’s offense steps up first.

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GAME 3

Tyler Skaggs (2.68 ERA) v. James Shields (4.26 ERA)
Wednesday, July 25th @ 7:07 PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

Tyler Skaggs hasn’t made it past the 6th inning in his last 3 starts but he kept the Angels in it and they won 2 of those 3 games. There is no doubt he has been the team’s most reliable starter throughout this season.

Pitch Arsenal:

James Shield is having a good rebound year - arguable his best since 2015. The Astros weren’t fooled by Shields back on July 7th but in 4 of his other last 5 starts, he has a 1.33 ERA. The Angels faced him in his last start of 2017 and only scored 2 runs over 7 innings.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: Skaggs has the edge here perhaps, but Shield has been pitching well as of late.

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GAME 4

Nick Tropeano (4.58 ERA) v. Dylan Covey (4.95 ERA)
Thursday, July 26th @ 1:07 PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Summary:

Nick Tropeano seems to have caught the ability to walks lots of batter that Richards was struck with earlier in the year. Over his past 2 starts (before and after the DL), he’s give up 7 free passes in just 9.1 innings.

Pitch Arsenal:

Dylan Covey isn’t exactly the ace of this staff but he held the Mariners scoreless on 2 hits over 8.1 innings in his last start. Over his prior 5 starts though, he allowed 26 runs over only 20 innings.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: Despite his struggle with walks, Tropeano should have the advantage here and the Angels should be able to knock Covey around for some runs.

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Overall Verdict: If I had to guess, I’d say the Angels take 3 of these game, but a sweep would be nice of course!

Current Standings