Page’s Weekly Predictions: LA Angels Opening Week

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The day has finally arrived Halo Nation: Opening Day. Not much is expected from the LA Angels this season from outside analysts, but they have the tools in place to make a run at the postseason. When you’re there anything can happen.

I have been writing about the LA Angels for Halo Hangout for nearly 10 months now, and I am thrilled to be starting this weekly article. In it I will discuss the previous week and the best Angel performances, along with the upcoming schedule and players to watch.

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The Angels had the second best Spring Training record in the American League this season. Obviously, this does not mean they’re destined for the playoffs. However, it is a great sign considering the questions regarding the depth of the team to go along with the general agreement that the Angels’ farm system is one of the worst in baseball. The Angels were able to fill in the spots they were questionable about, most notably the bullpen and starting rotation.

I guess it would be fitting for me to start this series off with a prediction for the season.

Season prediction: The Angels will go 85-77 and play in the Wild Card game.

Sep 27, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Monday, April 3rd @ Athletics

Probables- Ricky Nolasco vs. Kendall Graveman

Neither the Angels or the Athletics will send out their ace on Opening Day. Nolasco will take the mound for the Angels, which should be a good thing for the team. Nolasco has made four Opening Day starts in his career, so he is accustomed to this stage and all the emotions that come with it. Graveman, an owner of a 4.11 ERA in 2016, will be making his Opening Day debut for A’s. Nolasco had an impressive 3.21 ERA last in the 11 starts he made for the Angels.

This will be the first chance at seeing the new and improved Angels offense. All the regulars from last year (Trout, Calhoun, Pujols, Escobar, Simmons), players who ended last year hurt are back (Cron), and new additions such as Cameron Maybin are ready to get the team started off hot. The Athletics offense is an underwhelming one. Furthermore, in a stadium like the O.co Coliseum that favors contact over power, the Angels should be able to win this one. The team is made up of hitters who put the ball in play and good baserunners, which is a strategy that will pay dividends in big ballparks. After getting shut out by the Cubs in their first game last year, the Angels start this season with a win.

Prediction: Angels 5, Athletics 2.

Tuesday, April 4th @ Athletics

Probables- Matt Shoemaker vs. Sean Manaea

Both Shoemaker and Manaea were arguably their team’s most valuable pitcher last season. Shoemaker held a 3.88 ERA last season, enough to win him the Nick Adenhart Award as the Angels’ best pitcher. However, he was struck in the head by a line drive which effectively ended his season. He is hoping to prove the injury had no effect on his long term effectiveness. For the Athletics, Manaea was a bright spot in their otherwise dismal 2016 season. While his ERA was average at 3.86, he was a strikeout whiz, placing second among rookies with 124. His ERA is only going to improve as he learns more and more about the game. This will be the premier pitching match of the series, as I don’t see either starter allowing more than 4 runs. The Angels’ offense needs to jump on the youngster early to win, and I have no doubt they are capable of that.

Prediction: Angels 4, Athletics 1

Wednesday, April 5th @ Athletics

Mar 31, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards (43) pitches in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Probables- Garrett Richards vs. Jharel Cotton

In the third game of the series, the Angels will send Garret Richards to the mound. Richards avoided Tommy John surgery after undergoing successful stem cell treatment. While his therapy went well, his Spring Training performance was shaky. He owned a 5.11 ERA albeit a small sample size of only 12 1/3 innings. The A’s will be sending out youngster Jharel Cotton. After acquiring him at the trade deadline last season, Cotton was nothing short of phenomenal for the A’s. In five starts for Oakland, he held opponents to a .185 batting average with a 2.05 ERA. Cotton rode that wave throughout spring and should be given the pitching advantage of this matchup. Richards needs a strong start to his season if he plans to be the team’s ace again.

Prediction: Athletics 6, Angels 2

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Thursday, April 6th @ Athletics

Probable:s- Tyler Skaggs vs. Andrew Triggs

In the final game of this series, the Angels send out their first lefty in the form of Tyler Skaggs. Coming off of TJ surgery last season, Skaggs started hot but slowly returned to his old self. When he has control of his secondary pitches, he is untouchable. However, his control is shaky. He loves his curveball, but does not always have the movement he needs from it. For the Athletics, they will send out Andrew Triggs. He played in 24 games last season for the A’s. While he had a 4.31 ERA, that number went down to 2.81 in his six starts. He is hoping to show last season was not a fluke as a starting pitcher. His first test will come against the Angels. With his limited work through Spring Training, Skaggs may be shaky. His control may take some time to return, but this A’s lineup could cause problems for a lefty like Skaggs.

Prediction: Athletics 4, Angels 3

Mar 12, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) and Seattle Mariners catcher Tuffy Gosewisch (7) talks in between pitches in the second inning during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Friday, April 7 vs. Mariners

Probables: Yovani Gallardo vs. Jesse Chavez

Newcomer Jesse Chavez will take the mound for the Angels in their home opener. He had a 4.43 ERA last year as a relief pitcher, but the Angels are hoping to bring him back to the starting position. In 2015, his last season as a starter, he held a 4.18 ERA in Oakland. In his comeback season, Chavez needs to start off strong in his first few starts if he hopes to hold this fifth starter job. If not, he will most likely be used as a middle reliever. For the Mariners, Yovani Gallardo will be hoping to bounce back from an awful 2016 campaign. He owned a 5.42 ERA in 23 games. With a career ERA of 3.79, the veteran is hoping to achieve his old form, or his career may be on the way down. This could be a high scoring game, but I expect one pitcher to come out strong and only give up a couple runs. In what should be a bullpen heavy game, the Angels celebrate their homecoming with their third win of the season.

Prediction: Angels 5, Mariners 2

Saturday, April 8 vs. Mariners

Aug 15, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) rounds third after hitting a solo home run off of Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (left) during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Probables: Felix Hernandez vs. Ricky Nolasco

Now when you look at the names of the probable pitchers, most would expect Seattle to easily win this one. But believe this- Felix Hernandez is not what he used to be. He is still a great pitcher, but he has never done amazing against the Angels. Ricky Nolasco, however, has experienced a career resurgence since joining the Angels. His sinker has been the key to this, as it has been his premier strikeout pitch. He is not quite King Felix, but this game could be much closer than many expect. I expect this one to be decided late, or even in extras.

Prediction: Mariners 3, Angels 2

Sunday, April 9 vs Mariners

Probables: Hisashi Iwakuma vs. Matt Shoemaker

In the rubber match of the series, Shoemaker gets the nod. Hopefully coming off a dominant game against the Athletics, Shoemaker continues his resurgence and shuts down the Mariners offense. Hisashi Iwakuma will be hurling against the Astros on Tuesday, but he has been a model of consistency for the Mariners throughout his career there. He rarely implodes on himself and can be relied on to get the win for his team. In what I expect to be a pitching duel, the Angels end the first week of the season on the losing end, sitting at 4-3 at the end of the week.

Prediction- Mariners 5, Angels 3

And there you have it Halo Nation. I can’t wait to experience this season with you all, and look forward to this series of articles.

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