Jered Weaver (4-8, 4.75 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (58-51) meet Miguel Gonzalez (9-8, 4.32 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (56-53) in the last of a three-game series at Angel Stadium. The Orioles won the last game 5-0 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 12:37 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 9 and will air on MAS2.
In his last start, Weaver pitched 5.2 innings, giving up four runs, striking out four and walking one in a 4-1 loss to the Athletics. Albert Pujols (.259, 62 Rs, 30 HRs, 66 RBIs, 2 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4. The Orioles were also unsuccessful the last time Gonzalez pitched. He went 5.1 innings, allowing three runs, striking out five and walking three in a 5-0 loss to the Athletics. Manny Machado (.300, 70 Rs, 24 HRs, 57 RBIs, 15 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Orioles, going 4 for 5 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Angels are a dangerous hitting team with 284 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB. Los Angeles’s pitching staff performs very well on its own field, with an AL-best 3.02 team ERA at home. The Angels are the best in the AL in hits allowed at home, giving up just 7.7 per game.
The Orioles are known for their power, smashing 139 home runs. Baltimore’s pitching staff and defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking fourth in the AL with only four runs allowed per road game. They also allow just 8.2 hits per road game, good for third in the AL.
The Angels are 3-2 against the Orioles this season. The Angels will take on a right-hander (Gonzalez) in this game and have a 42-41 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA
Notes
Baltimore has won 58% (22-16) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Los Angeles has won 64% (28-16) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Orioles are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Angels have a 9-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Orioles are 40-11. The Angels have a 43-10 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 15th in runs, Los Angeles has earned 455 this season. Baltimore ranks eighth with 475 runs.
Ranking 25th, Baltimore is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 264 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half at 19th with 299.
The Angels are 46-26 when they hit at least one home run. The Orioles perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 48-28 record.
