Page’s Weekly LA Angels Predictions: Week Three

Sunday, April 23 Angels vs. Blue Jays

Probables: Ricky Nolasco vs. Marcus Stroman

In the rubber match of this series, the Blue Jays will send out youngster Marcus Stroman. Stroman has been absolutely sensational this season. In his first start he threw 6.1 innings of one run baseball, allowing six hits while walking two. He picked up his first win of the season. While he did pick up the loss in his second start, he was phenomenal nonetheless. He pitched nine full innings of baseball. Stroman threw eight shutout innings only to give up the sole two runs of the game in the ninth. He allowed seven hits and struck out four while giving only one free base. Of the current Angels who has appearances against Stroman, they have a group batting average of .326 in 43 at-bats. However, only Kole Calhoun has taken Stroman deep in his career. Hopefully that number changes come Sunday.

Ricky Nolasco will get the nod to start in the series finale. The former Twin has a lot of experience against the Blue Jays. In 101 career at-bats current Blue Jays have a .218 batting average against Nolasco. Only Troy Tulowitzki has taken him deep. As a team, they have 22 hits off Nolasco, but they also have a whopping 27 strikeouts. Nolasco has found success against these players in the past, and hopefully he will be able to continue that come Sunday.

We may be set up for a pitching duel on Sunday, with arguably both clubs best starters being slated to face off.

Prediction: Angels 3 Blue Jays 2 in extra innings