Page’s Weekly LA Angels Predictions: Week Two

Tuesday, April 11 vs. Rangers

Probables- Cole Hamels vs. Tyler Skaggs

The Angels have all the momentum going into this three game series with the rival Texas Rangers. They are coming off a weekend sweep of the Seattle Mariners. However, the Rangers just won a series against the A’s over the weekend. They won two of the three games, and scored eight and ten runs in those wins. They could only muster one run across in the loss, however.

Cole Hamels will take the mound for the Rangers. He is someone who has been very dominant against current Angels in his career. One player who has found a lot of success against Hamels is Cameron Maybin. In 35 career at-bats, Maybin has 13 hits with four doubles and a triple. Hamels has also struck out Maybin ten times though. Their battles Tuesday will be one to watch, and could have a big impact on the outcome of this game.

Tyler Skaggs gets the nod for the Angels. In his first outing this season, he was roughed up for five runs in 5.1 innings of work. He did not have the touch and control he needs to utilize his pitches to their full potential. This first outing was not a good sign for Skaggs, as he needs to be a reliable starter if the Angels plan on contending this season and in the future. With the four other LA starters having solid weeks, Skaggs may find himself as the odd man out if he does not bring his best stuff in his next few starts.

I think he bounces back enough to keep the Angels in the game. This game could come down to the bullpens, and the Angels have shown that is a strength so far while the Rangers’ relievers have been inconsistent through the first week of the season.

Prediction- Angels 7, Rangers 5