LA Angels Weekly Predictions: Week Four

Monday, April 24 vs. Blue Jays

Probables: Francisco Liriano vs. Jesse Chavez

The Angels have their first chance to, well, not lose a series since they swept the Mariners over two weeks ago. They have lost every series since, but could split this one with a win tonight against the Blue Jays. They will face Francisco Liriano, who has been solid after a rough first outing this season. In his last start, he threw 5.1 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing only four hits and one walk. He struck out seven and earned his first win of the season.

The only Angels hitter who has found significant success against Liriano is, I’ll give you one guess. Mike Trout is a career .385 (5-13) hitter against Liriano. He has driven in three runs off of Liriano, and has earned a free base off of him twice. While the sample size is much smaller, Kole Calhoun is 2-5 off of Liriano with home run and two RBI’s.

The Angels will send Jesse Chavez to the mound in an effort to tie this series. Chavez was set to start yesterday, but was pushed back due to his relief appearance in the 13-inning marathon on Friday. Chavez has found some decent success against the Blue Jays batters. Of people with five or more at-bats against Chavez, none of them have an average that stands out.

He gave up a three-run shot to Jose Bautista in his relief appearance on Friday, however. In his last start, he threw seven innings of two run (one earned) baseball. He struck out five and walked two. Chavez has not been consistent this season, but he could throw a quality start against this Toronto team Monday night without leaving me surprised.

Prediction: Angels 4, Blue Jays 3