Series Preview: Royals @ Angels (A Matchup Against Those We Can Actually Beat)

Angels (20-23) @ Twins (15-29)

Right now, the Angels are hitting. A lot. 44 hits in three games against the Minnesota Twins, and the Angels got just one win to show for it. What happened against the Twins? (Psst: they started all righties.) Anyway, the Angels starting rotation is in shambles, and even if they go out and spin three straight no-hitters this weekend, I won’t be convinced, as it’s the Royals.

Checking in on Kansas City and...wow. They lost 16-1 to Texas yesterday.

It’s Country Weekend! Yeehaw!

Weather Forecast

What is this Sunday rain nonsense? It’s a disgrace!

GAME 1

(R) Brad Keller (4.47 ERA) v. (R) Matt Harvey (6.69 ERA)
Friday, May 17 @ 7:07 PM

Summary:

I have good news! Brad Keller is a righty! Keller did not face the Angels when they travelled to Kansas City a few weeks ago. Keller seems to have an extreme walk problem, walking 5.5/9 innings on the season, good enough for first in the AL! He also doesn’t strike out many. This bodes well for the Angels, who should be very effective against Keller as long as they stay patient.

Matt Harvey, he of the 6.69 ERA, has not had much control over his past few starts, badly missing locations and the like. However, against Kansas City on April 28th, Harvey had one of the best outings of the year, going 7 innings allowing just one run. He’ll need something like that Friday.

GAME 2

(R) Jakob Junis (5.77 ERA) v. (R) Griffin Canning (5.65 ERA)
Saturday, May 18 @ 7:07 PM

Summary:

Junis has regressed this year in every way possible. He’s striking out fewer hitters, walking more guys, giving up more hits, which naturally leads to more runs. The Angels didn’t see him, but he is (once again) a righty, which should give the hitters plenty of opportunities.

Griffin Canning is coming off a rough start against the Orioles in which the long ball plagued him. He gets to face another offensively awful offense, and he’s actually been pretty lucky to start his career, at least in terms of the offenses he’s been slated to face. Look for him to bounce back after the rain delay in Baltimore might’ve messed him up.

GAME 3

(L) Danny Duffy (3.97 ERA) v. (L) Tyler Skaggs (5.05 ERA)
Sunday, May 19 @ 1:07 PM

Summary:

Run! It’s a lefty! The Angels actually won the game they faced Duffy on April 26th, when he allowed three runs in five innings and Tyler Skaggs threw a gem. Duffy gets a rematch Sunday. Expect Shohei Ohtani to be sitting, as it’s a lefty and a day game.

Tyler Skaggs needs to demonstrate consistency, and what better way to do that than by facing the team he’s dominated over his career? He is lifetime 2-1 with a 0.35 ERA against the Royals. Yippee!

Overall Verdict: This is a very sweepable series.

Current Standings (sorted by playoff odds)

Notes/Credits:
(Standings/odds from fivethirtyeight.com)