Page’s Weekly LA Angels Predictions: Week Five

The LA Angels were finally able to string together some wins last week. They swept the Oakland A’s in four games and won a weekend series against the Rangers. They will face their two other division foes in week five.

The LA Angels went on an absolutely awful stretch over the middle of April in which they only one three games over a two week period. The offense was nonexistent, averaging 2.83 runs per game. This past week, they averaged an improved 4.28 runs per game.

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The pitching has been generally solid throughout the month. Despite on the pitchers finding their way to the disabled list, the Angels are getting efficient pitching from those that have been called on to fill a role.

This week, the Angels are off Monday (after 20 games without a break) and then take on the Seattle Mariners in a three game series in Seattle. They then return home for a weekend series against the American League West leaders, the Houston Astros.

Player of the Week: Mike Trout

While I try not to give this award to Mike Trout every week, he sure does make it hard on me. This week, he performed at such an elite level he has to receive Player of the Week. Needless to say, Mike Trout is not only in early MVP contention, he is leading the way. He only improved his case this week, as he hit .400 on the week. Five of his ten hits went for extra bases (two doubles, a triple, and two big flies). He scored seven times himself while driving in four more runs. He walked and struck out five times each, and swiped a bag this past week.

Trout currently rides a 14-game hitting streak, which is the best current streak in the American League. Trout’s longest previous streak If he gets a hit on Tuesday against Seattle, he will tie his career-high of 15 straight games with a hit.

Pitcher of the Week: JC Ramirez

JC Ramirez started the season as a relief pitcher. However, he was thrown into the starting rotation when Garrett Richards was put on the disabled list. Ramirez has been more than just a serviceable pitcher. He was great in his two outings last week. He went seven innings, allowing only two hits in his best start of the season. Ramirez walked two batters and struck out seven. He was not able to earn his first win, however, until his next start.

In his second start of the week, he faced a Texas offense that averaged seven runs per game in the first series between the two teams. Ramirez threw 5.1 innings of solid baseball. He allowed two earned runs on four hits in this contest, but had some run support this time around and earned the win. He struck out a phenomenal nine batters on his way to the victory.