LA Angels Series Preview: Starters Need Lengthy Outings vs. Rangers

The LA Angels are back to competing against the AL West after splitting a three-game series against the Cubs that was cut short one game by weather delay.

The LA Angels didn’t do too well against the Cubs even in their win as the bullpen failed to provide strong late-innings, instead the team relying on fortune to escape an 8th and 9th inning jam. The Angels are back within their comfort zone as they look to rebuild the streak against the team they got hot against the first time around, the Texas Rangers.

The Angels are facing Texas once more in a series that looks to realign the Angels good fortunes as some bad luck took Mike Trout for a few games while bad weather scratched a game entirely off their schedule. The surprise off day is beneficial for the Angels given their heavily taxed bullpen arms and the need for Trout to get as much time as possible to fully recover from his groin strain.

The Angels have proved to be somewhat effective even without Trout, as they put up 6 runs in the second game of the Cubs series, but seeing as how Mike Trout was the brunt of the Angels’ offense during their home series against Texas, the Angels may be needing him back sooner than later.

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It’s not critical that Mike Trout comes back ASAP, especially against such a middling Rangers team, but at the same time the Angels need to take advantage of as many weak series match-ups as they can and pull as many 1st month winning streaks as possible.

The six game winning streak a week ago resettled the Angels after a terrible Opening Week against the A’s and Mariners, and was immense for the confidence of the club and fans alike. Another good streak in the middle of the month can set the Angels up for a hugely competitive May within the AL West.

As it has been all season so far, this wishful good fortune begins with the starting pitching.

Angels @ Rangers

(4/15) – 5:05 PM PT @ FS-W: Trevor Cahill (1-1, 3.50 ERA) vs Shelby Miller (0-1, 9.53 ERA)

(4/16) – 5:05 PM PT @ FS-W: Matt Harvey (0-2, 10.05 ERA) vs Mike Minor (1-1, 3.86 ERA)

(4/17) – 5:05 PM PT @ FS-W: Felix Pena (0-1, 3.65) vs Lance Lynn (1-1, 4.82 ERA)