LA Angels Weekly Predictions: Week Six

Monday, April 8 @ Oakland

Probables- Ricky Nolasco vs. Kendall Gravemen

The LA Angels will start off their week against Kendall Gravemen, who has been going through some difficulties ever since returning from the disabled list. In his two starts since returning, he has a horrid 7.71 ERA. However, in his two outings against the Angels this season, he has down well. He allowed two earned runs over six innings in each start. He has sent 11 Halo batters down on strikes this season.

The good sign for the Angels is that they have six hits in each game against Graveman. They just need to string some hits together against him, which is very possible. The Angels have a .308 career team batting average against Graveman. However, they have only taken him deep three times. Mike Trout is a career .333 hitter against Graveman and is making his return from a hamstring injury. He could very well be the difference maker in this game. Albert Pujols has also dominated Graveman hitting .364 against him with a long ball.

Ricky Nolasco will start the week off for the Halos, barring a last minute substitution. He has been dealing with a calf problem, but plans to make his start. Nolasco owns a 4.68 ERA on the year. This is due to his inability to keep the ball inside the ballpark. In six starts, he has given up nine long balls, only having one outing in which he did not allow a home run. The positive sign for Nolasco is that one start came against the Oakland A’s. He has found a string of success against the A’s this season, with a 3.18 ERA in two starts. However, he has still given up home runs five different Oakland batters in his career.

In five starts, Graveman has allowed four long balls. In six starts, Nolasco has given up nine. The big fly will decide this game.

Prediction- Angels 5, A’s 4