LA Angels vs Houston Astros series preview

The LA Angels return home to face the AL West leading Houston Astros for a weekend series, starting on Friday. Sitting in second place, Mike Trout and crew find themselves within striking distance of the AL West division leaders.

The LA Angels are coming off a 9-game road trip that saw them win six games, including a sweep of the A’s to go along with a series win against the Rangers.

Coming in winners of 6 out of their last 7, including several offensive drubbings against the Rangers and A’s, the Astros will be looking to extend their lead in the AL West. Currently, the Astros are 4.0 games ahead of the LA Angels.

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The series so far this year: When these two teams met in April, the Astros took 3 out of 4 from the Angels. While the Angels starting pitching began to click during the previous series, the offense failed to arrive.

Three keys to a Halo victory: Houston is a scrappy team that can also beat you with the long ball.

Execute situational hitting. They have power hitters, however, the offense is still sputtering and not firing on all cylinders. The team must take advantage of all of its opportunities.

Don’t waste starting pitching efforts. Angels starting pitching has been strong over the last several weeks. In their last 13 starts they have a FIP of 3.66 (only a fraction above their 3.63 ERA.) Angels starting pitchers have averaged 5.3 IP per start. That is skewed by a few short efforts, such as last nights game in Seattle. With Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs both out for the next several months, starting pitching will come are a premium for the Angels.

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Production from the leadoff spot. Yunel Escobar is not a traditional leadoff hitter. He hits and typically does so with singles and some doubles. Without much speed and power, the lower OBP starts to stand out. Escobar is very much a leadoff hitter by lack of another option. However, it might be time to try another solution and give someone like Andrelton Simmons a crack at it.

The Match-Ups

Friday May 5th – 7:07 PM pst

Radio: 830 AM TV: Fox Sports West

Special Promotion: Angels Cinco de Mayo maracas

Jesse Chavez (2-4) vs Dallas Keuchel (5-0)

Keuchel has returned to form in 2017, as his record and his 36 K, and 1.21 ERA would indicate. The Angels results against him are mixed at best, though Albert Pujols does have 2 HR against him. Mike Trout is the standout, hitting a robust .333 against the Astros’ lefty, adding 2 HR as well. Chavez has scuffled as of late, simply giving up too many hits as his .351 BABIP and 5.58 FIP would indicate. If he can mix his pitches better and keep the ball down (3 HR in his last 13 IP) he will stand a chance to pick up the W.

Saturday May 6th – 6:07PM pst

Radio: 830 AM TV: Fox Sports West

Special Promotion: Eco-Bag and Saturday Night Fireworks

Lance McCullers Jr. (2-1) vs JC Ramirez (3-2)

McCullers and the Angels have not seen a lot of each other, with Pujols and Yunel Escobar being the only two to have any moderate success against him. McCullers has been hit hard in two road games thus far in 2017. The Angels will be looking to capitalize continue the trend. Ramirez has been coming into his comfort zone as a starter for the LA Angels. In his last two starts, the righty has held batters to a .208 BABIP to go along with a 93% LOB rate and 16 K. For the Angels, this is the game they must win.

Sunday May 7th – 12:37 PM pst

Radio: 830 AM TV: Fox Sports West

Mike Fiers (0-1) vs. Matt Shoemaker (1-1)

Fiers has coughed up the longball (12 HR in 25 IP) and it is reflected in his 5.68 ERA thus far. The Angels have 5 HR against him, scattered across four players. Andrelton Simmons, Kole Calhoun, and Cameron Maybin have all had success against the righty. Meanwhile, Trout checks in with a .250 AVG. It doesn’t scream victory, but it still says he can get a hit when needed. Shoemaker has had some mixed results so far this season. Shoemaker’s last three starts have trended up as he has gone 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA. He also faired well in Houston earlier this season, going 7 IP while only surrendering 2 ER (unfortunately in a game where the Angels lost 2-1.)

The Angels find themselves within striking distance of first place. While the season is only in its second month, the Angels need to grab every win that they can, whenever they can. The Angels are a team that have had a few seasons in the last 5-6 years where the team was eliminated in the last week (or weekend) of the season. An extra win or two now really can be all the difference in a playoff push. With a team already considered a playoff dark horse at best, a strike against the division leaders is crucial.

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