Series Preview: Angels @ Indians (Rough weekend?)

Angels 54-56
Indians 59-48

Comparing these two teams this year really isn’t fair. The Angels are a team who just got swept by a team without a starting pitcher. The Indians, meanwhile, are first in the AL Central.

The Angels beat the Indians two games to one early in the season. However, that was a Cleveland team which struggled to climb above .500 for much of the first half.

While one wouldn’t describe the Indians as an offensive juggernaut, they brought in a decent-hitting outfielder, Leonys Martin, to help shore up their outfield. Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor, Yonder Alonso, and Edwin Encarnacion are players that can never be counted out. In addition, the additions of relief pieces Brad Hand and Adam Cimber slate to contribute to a formerly struggling, newly-revamped bullpen.

Know your foe:
Indians - who’s hot (last 7 days):

Jose Ramirez .350 AVG, .500 OBP, 2 home runs
Melky Cabrera .315 AVG, .350 OBP, 1 home run

Weather Forecast

GAME 1

Jaime Barria (3.74 ERA) v. Mike Clevinger (3.43 ERA)
Friday, August 3rd @ 4:10PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

This will be Barria’s first start against the Indians. The Panamanian has consistently thrown five to six innings per start in 2018, only once surpassing six and only once tossing beneath five. Unspectacular yet reliable, Barria often surrenders two to three runs per game.

Pitch Arsenal:

Clevinger squared off against the Angels on April 2nd and threw 5.1 shutout innings. He has allowed just two runs in each of his past two starts, allowing four or more runs four times. He has allowed two or fewer runs in twelve starts.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: Barria has been acceptable, but Clevinger most likely has the edge here.

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GAME 2

Felix Pena (5.23 ERA) v. Corey Kluber (2.79 ERA)
Saturday, August 4th @ 4:10PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

Felix Pena has had some pretty decent starts this year, but hey, let’s try to forget about the last one in which he allowed 7 runs and only managed to get 1 out. Let’s see if he can get through the 5th inning.

Pitch Arsenal:

There could be worse guys for Pena to match up again, right? Kluber has been Kluber-esque this year, though the Yankees did beat him up a few starts ago. He faced the Angels earlier in the year and allowed 2 runs in 7 innings.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: File this under one of those “not fair” matchups. Kluber and Pena really aren’t even in the same paragraph.

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GAME 3

Tyler Skaggs (3.34 ERA) v. Shane Bieber (4,73 ERA)
Sunday, August 5th @ 10:10AM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

There is no way that Skaggs can have a worse start than his last one in which he gave up 10 runs, a career worst. He faced the Indians back on April 4th and allowed two runs over 4.2 innings. Although they are a tough team, a rebound is in order for him.

Pitch Arsenal:

Everyone around Cleveland had Bieber fever in June when the rookie (and top-100 prospect) had a 0.99 ERA in the bigs. That fever broke in July when he put up a 7.00 ERA, including 10 runs over his last 8 innings of work.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: Angels should have the edge here, right?

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Overall Verdict: While I wouldn’t be surprised if the home-field Indians break out the brooms, game one is winnable and game three provides them with the best chance to do just that.

Current Standings

AL West:

AL Central: