LA Angels Series Preview: Team Has Chance to Prove Their Strength Against the Cubs

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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Justin Bour #41 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts to hitting a two-run homerun during the eighth inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

The LA Angels have won six in a row and are looking to continue the hot streak into the weekend series against the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are opening the season with serious struggles and are currently sitting at 3-8 on the season.

If there’s one team the LA Angels can continue their good fortunes with, it’s the Cubs. Likewise, if there’s one team that excels at giving struggling clubs a bounce back, it would be the Angels.

The Angels have looked great lately, but is this current level of play over their heads? Tommy La Stella delivered more than many thought possible with 3 HR’s against the Brewers. While I’m not sure this will carry over into this Cubs series, it’s still great to see some of the Angels bats turning around. Even Justin Bour joined the party with a HR of his own against the Brewers, though he was mostly quiet with 3 hits in 13 PA’s.

At the same time, Bour did collect 4 RBI’s in the series after having just 1 RBI prior to the Brewers. It may be a slow turn but Bour looks to be coming around in some form. We have Jaime Barria back up in the Majors to deliver high-quality innings out of the bullpen or as a starter, whichever is need.

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Really the only issue is Mike Trouts seemingly innocuous injury that will keep him out for at least one game against the Cubs.

This team is looking a lot better than most people expect as the starting pitching has been average to lights out while the bullpen has remained indomitable. There are the few outliers such as Luke Bard giving up multiple HRs in one inning against the Brewers or Matt Harvey continually struggling to maintain a solid game, but for the most part this club is looking strong.

The hitting is the one issue that needs to truly level out before we can think about continued success past this initial win streak, but if the hitting can stabilize the Angels will be a in a fantastic position. Just a little more “oomph” from Kole Calhoun, some actual quality swings from Bour and continued improvement from Andrelton Simmons could create a truly dangerous lineup.

Can the Angels continue with this firepower even with Mike Trout missing from the lineup?

Angels @ Cubs

(4/12) – 11:20 AM PT @ FS-W: Tyler Skaggs (1-1, 2.45 ERA) vs TBD

(4/13) – 11:20 AM PT @ FS-W: Chris Stratton (0-1, 6.48 ERA) vs TBD

(4/14) – 11:20 AM PT @ FS-W: Trevor Cahill (1-1, 3.50 ERA) vs TBD

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