Series Preview: LA Angels vs. Oakland Athletics

The LA Angels will host the Oakland Athletics to close out their final home stand of April. In what could prove to be a tone setter for the 2017 season, the AL West rivals square off for three games.

The LA Angels (8-12) and sitting in fourth place enter the series struggling to find their footing. Angels starting pitchers in the last 7 days have yielded a stingy 12 ER in 41 IP. The starting pitchers are also averaging less than a hit per inning pitched. In addition, they are sporting a 2.63 ERA and stranding 83% of base runners. In that same time frame, Angels bats have only managed 21 runs scored. Accordingly, the Angels cold bats have also only managed to add a .225 BA and a 59 K :18 BB rate.

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Presently, the Angels are hopeful that the small moves they have made in the last few days, along with adjustments to their starting rotation will help get the team jump started. Ricky Nolasco was pushed back to Thursday to work on some mechanics issues along. As a result to injuries and adjustments, Daniel Wright was recalled and got the start Sunday night against the Blue Jays (where he turned in a strong 5 IP in a no-decision.) JC Ramirez is also making his third start for the Angels, looking to show the team (who will now be without Garrett Richards until at least June) that he can stick in the starting rotation. Matt Shoemaker will go in the second game and look to notch his first victory of the season for the Halos.

If the LA Angels are to turn around the 2017 season early, they will need to do it now, against their rival. And while the A’s come in sitting above the Angels with a 10-9 record, they have been very streaky, winning and losing in bunches at a time. The Angels must capitalize with improved timely hitting and continued strong starting pitching.

*Note: To post a timely preview of the series, team records and stats do not reflect the scheduled Monday Night game between the LA Angels and Toronto Blue Jays.

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What You Need to Know:

4/25 – Game Time: 7:07 pm PST

Starting Pitchers: LAA JC Ramirez (2-2, 6.45 ERA) vs. OAK Jesse Hahn (1-1, 3.45 ERA)

TV: Fox Sports West

Radio: KLAA 830

4/26 – Game Time: 7:07 pm PST

Starting Pitchers: LAA Matt Shoemaker (0-1, 4.98 ERA) vs. OAK Sean Manaea (1-1, 4.43 ERA)

TV: Fox Sports West

Radio: KLAA 830

4/27 – Game Time: 7:07 pm PST

Starting Pitchers: LAA Ricky Nolasco (1-2, 4.76 ERA) vs. Jharel Cotton (2-2, 4.76 ERA)

TV: Fox Sports West

Radio: KLAA 830

Next: Angels bullpen continues to struggle with injuries

Let’s see how things turn out.