In the first of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Angels (56-74) and the Cincinnati Reds (55-74) at Angel Stadium, Matt Shoemaker (8-13, 3.98 ERA) and Dan Straily (10-6, 3.57 ERA) get the start. The game gets underway at 10:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 29 and will air on FSW.
In his last start, Shoemaker pitched 6.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out three and walking one in an 8-2 victory over the Blue Jays. C.J. Cron (.278, 35 Rs, 11 HRs, 53 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one run. The Reds were victorious over the Rangers 3-0 the last time Straily pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out five and walking two. Adam Duvall (.245, 72 Rs, 29 HRs, 83 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Angels have a 6-11 record SU against the National League. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, leading the AL with an average of only 6.0 strikeouts per game. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 3.4 during that span, compared to its 4.7 season average.
Against interleague opponents, the Reds are 5-12 SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 6.1 runs per game, above their 4.5 season average. Cincinnati is a terror on the base paths, ranking second in the MLB with 112 stolen bases.
This game will feature Straily (RHP) on the mound against the Angels, who have a 39-57 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Reds will be the right-hander Shoemaker. They sport a 45-54 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – CIN
Notes
Los Angeles has won 41% (23-33) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Cincinnati has won 47% (30-34) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Reds are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Angels have a 5-25 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 41-12. The Angels have a 45-11 record when outhitting opponents.
Los Angeles and Cincinnati both rank in the bottom half of the league in runs. Los Angeles sits at 19th with 576 runs this season and Cincinnati ranks 17th with 583.
Ranking 21st, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 370 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 378.
When the Angels hit at least one home run, they are 40-41. When the Reds hit at least one homer, they have a 41-40 record.
