Series Preview: Mariners @ Angels (Definitely Groundhog Day)

Angels 52-52
Mariners 61-41

Yes, the Angels just played the White Sox, and yet they still find themselves 10 back in the wild card race. The move has to happen now, and it has to happen fast. Hopefully trading away Martin Maldonado is the spark needed.

The Mariners, meanwhile, are reeling. They’re just 4-6 in their last ten, which includes a 3-2 record after the AS Break.

Know your foe:

Mariners - who’s hot (last 7 days):

Dee Gordon .368/.400/.474/.874 Ryon Healy .462/.500/1.154/1.654

who’s not (last 7 days)

Jean Segura .263/.250/.316/.566 Nelson Cruz .176/.211/.176/.387 Mitch Haniger .143/.400/.143/.543

Weather Forecast

GAME 1

Wade LeBlanc (3.44 ERA) v. Andrew Heaney (3.66 ERA)
Friday, July 27th @ 7:07PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

Wade LeBlanc is coming off a 7.1 inning, 1 run performance against the same Chicago White Sox we could not beat. He is also a lefty. Andrew Heaney has a tendency to labor in the first two innings then pull a rabbit out of a hat to throw a quality start. His most recent effort was 6 innings, 1 run against the Astros.

Verdict: Sadly, LeBlanc is a lefty, so we can probably chalk this one up as a loss.

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GAME 2

Felix Hernandez (5.14 ERA) v. Jaime Barria (3.80 ERA)
Saturday, July 28th @ 6:07PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

Jaime Barria has had a rough time of it lately, losing his last five decisions. On the other hand, Mike Trout owns Felix Hernandez, so...

Verdict: We can probably win this one.

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GAME 3

Marco Gonzales (3.38 ERA) v. Felix Pena (3.34 ERA)
Sunday, July 29th @ 1:07PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

It’s another lefty, and even though Tyler Skaggs has been other-worldly, it’s hard to see a world in which the Angels score a plural number of runs.

Verdict: Probably another loss.

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Overall Verdict: According to FiveThirtyEight, the Angels have the edge in all three games but are facing lefties twice, so you never know. A sweep puts them 7 back on the playoffs.

Current Standings