LA Angels Series Preview: Angels @ Orioles (6/29/18/)

The LA Angels have been playing paltry baseball as of late; not able to hold leads, not able to put runs on the board, unable to boost team morale. Nothing is really working for this team, but one can hope with the upcoming series against the Orioles the Angels will be able to start the long, arduous process of righting this very wronged ship. Don’t hold your breath on that though.

The LA Angels are cellar dwellers, but at least they’re not sewer trash. The Baltimore Orioles, however, are the embodiment of the sewer. While the Angels are perpetually stuck at .500 the Orioles have struggled to even show up to properly play the game. The team currently sits at 23-57, which sits at twice as many losses as wins already. The Angels may have this outlook in their future, but they can also spin things around and take it in a positive direction.

This is the tipping point, let’s see which way this Angels team dips.

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Friday, 6/29; 4:05 PM PT: Felix Pena (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs David Hess (2-4, 5.44 ERA)

Saturday, 6/30; 1:05 PM PT: Tyler Skaggs (6-5, 2.69 ERA) vs Andrew Cashner (2-8, 4.70 ERA)

Sunday, 6/31; 9:05 PM PT: Deck McGuire (0-0, 6.08 ERA) vs Kevin Gausman (3-6, 4.20 ERA)

It’s a loser party and you’re all invited to attend. We won’t blame you if you choose to stay home for this series. After the way the Angels flailed and struggled against the dominate and elite Boston Red Sox it’s clear this team just isn’t where they need to be to compete. Not compete on the big level, just compete in general.

In this series you have two non-starters making starts for the Angels and the undeniable team ace sandwiches between them two. Felix Pena has topped out at 5 innings in his last two starts and is looking to add a successful third to that streak. Both games has been no decisions for Pena, who brought the team to a win over 4 IP of 1 run ball against the Diamondbacks and a loss with 3 ER over 5 IP against the Blue Jays.

To make things a little easier for the Angels is the man on the other side of the mound, David Hess, a rookie starter who has struggled to get it fully together this season. Hess has struggled to complete a full 5 innings throughout his last three starts. On top of that he’s allowed at least 2 walks in his last three starts, which looks worse given his inability to finish off 5 innings before getting the hook.

The second game in the set is a lot easier to stomach, only because the Angels godsend Tyler Skaggs is taking the mound. He’s always enjoyable to watch pitch; not only is he successful on the mound, he has that special edge that takes him over the top into significant ace territory. Skaggs as one of the better LHP in the AL. This will be the game to further that reputation, especially against an Andrew Cashner who’s received little to no support from his offense despite putting up solid outings. With Skaggs on the mound for the Angels things look to favor the Angels.

Finishing off the set is another Angel making their first start for the Angels and first of the season after being transferred from the Blue Jays to the Angels. Deck McGuire has almost no reason to not be an ace, just look at his name. We all know every deck of cards holds an ace, but we’re hoping he can channel all four aces deep within the deck of Deck McGuire.

Next: The Halos Should Risk it for Josh Donaldson

Of course there’s always the chance that the first card flipped from our Deck may be the Joker. I hope Deck isn’t just another joker on this team of clowns.

What to look for

• A win. I just want one win. Just one. This six game losing streak is the longest of the season. The Angels are 13.5 games back on the season and I just want one win to shine a little light through this torrential season.
• Maybe the Angels can go ahead and grab a couple of games in the standings while they’re at it. They’re going to need the whole second half to come back from the hole they’ve plopped themselves in with their poor play and dispassionate baseball. Grabbing one or two games now and holding onto them will take this team far in the long run.