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Angels Look to Avoid Getting Swept in Season Series Finale with Astros

Halos look to Cobb to stop 6 game skid

By Arianna Evans
MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Minnesota Twins Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Angels’ struggles continued last night as they fell to the Astros in a marathon 12 inning game that lasted 4 hours and 18 minutes. Despite loading the bases with no outs in the 10th, among other lost opportunities resulting in 10 LOB, the Halos still lost 9-5. The Angels have now dropped six straight games and eight straight at home.

Here’s the lineup that will try to get them back in the win column:

They will be facing Lance McCullers Jr. (12-4, 3.11 ERA) who they are familiar with. In the four games he’s started against the Halos this season, the Angels have won two and lost two. In his 25.2 IP against Anaheim this year he has allowed 15 hits, 6 runs, 7 walks, 29 K, and a .169 OBA.

McCullers has been better away (2.53 ERA) than at home (3.54 ERA), but he has also pitched more at home (86.1 IP) than away (64.0 IP).

On the Halos side, Alex Cobb gets the ball for his second start since coming off of the IL. In his last outing, he went 5.0 IP allowing just 2 hits and 0 runs. Cobb has faced the ‘Stros once earlier this season and he struggled, only managing to go 2.2 IP while allowing 5 R (4 ER), 6 hits, 4 K, and 3 BB.

The Angels current losing streak has come solely against AL West teams (OAK, HOU) and the rest of their schedule is against the other two teams in the division (SEA, TEX). The Halos have struggled in divisional play all year where they’ve gone just ​​24-42. In order for the Angels to finish the season at .500, they need to win 9 of their next 10 games.

Angels News and Notes:

  • Reid Detmers has been optioned to AAA and will pitch there Monday; it is possible he returns to the Angels later if Ohtani doesn’t pitch next weekend in Seattle, and the team also wants him to get innings in. Jose Marte and Sam Selman have also been optioned to Triple A.
  • The contract of veteran right-handed reliever A.J. Ramos has been selected.
  • Dylan Bundy and Justin Upton have been transferred to the 60-day IL.
  • Ryan Garko, who was on the Angels coaching staff and served as replay coordinator, was just hired as the VP of player development for the Tigers.

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