The Angels are on a roll lately, and it’s thanks in large part to their big-fish signings the past couple of seasons finally earning their lofty dollar values. Well, that and Mike Trout. <\/p>\n
Date\/Time: Wednesday, June 18 2014, 7 pm EST<\/strong>
\nVenue: Progressive Field, Cleveland OH<\/strong>
\nLAA -120, Cleveland EVEN<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 8.5<\/strong>
\nPitching Match-up: C.J. Wilson (7-6, 3.50 ERA) vs. Justin Masterson (4-5, 5.05 ERA)<\/strong>
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First baseman\/DH Albert Pujols and OF Josh Hamilton were both inked to massive free-agent deals last season but their injuries and ineffectiveness derailed Anaheim’s 2013 season. This time around, the slugging duo are healthy and doing what they do best.<\/p>\n
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It’s the main reason why Los Angeles (38-32) are currently second in the AL West division and looking up only at the hot Oakland Athletics, whose constant dominance without big-name talent seemingly defies explanation.<\/p>\n
There’s more to it than two veteran power hitters, though – it helps to have the best young player in the game. Trout is so good, in fact, you can take the qualifier “young” out of the equation. He’s the best player in baseball full stop.<\/p>\n
A .311 average, 16 HR, 54 RBI, nine stolen bases and an OPS of 1.008 through 66 games. Those stats aren’t out of a video game; that’s just the 22-year old Trout doing his thing.
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\nA Halos lineup featuring Trout, Pujols and a healthy Hamilton is going to push runs across. Anaheim ranks in the top 10 in all team offensive categories this season.<\/p>\nIt’s enough to support a rather shaky rotation whose ERA leader is the relatively unknown Garrett Richards – despite having some bloated salaries in the rotation as well.<\/p>\n
One pitcher you could gripe about is Wednesday night’s starter C.J. Wilson. The lefthander’s stats have been merely pedestrian, though he’s making an un-pedestrian $11 million per year.<\/p>\n
But, winning is winning, and the Angels still look like they’re shopping at Wal-Mart compared to their high-rolling neighbors across town (the L.A. Dodgers’ $236 million payroll tops the league).<\/p>\n
The Angels are such an interesting case study, we haven’t yet discussed the home team.<\/p>\n
The Indians (36-36) are also a team capable of scoring runs (Anaheim ranks fourth in the Majors in runs scored, Cleveland is fifth). It’s a team effort in northern Ohio, though top hitter Michael Brantley is currently day-to-day shaking off a nasty collision in the outfield earlier this week.<\/p>\n
Starting pitching has also been shaky for the Tribe, which is a big reason why they’re only playing .500 ball and sit third in the AL Central. Cleveland is coming off a 9-3 loss to the Angels on Tuesday and Trout is heating up of late, so the home team’s bats must be clicking on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
What compounds the problem is that Cleveland’s de facto ace Justin Masterson has been disappointing. The 29-year old is having a miserable season to date (ERA over five, WHIP of 1.52) and perhaps a change of scenery would do him well.<\/p>\n
The Angels smacked out 15 hits last night versus Indians’ pitching, so if Cleveland are to win at home, it must be prepared to get to Wilson early – and be prepared to do it without Brantley.<\/p>\n
The Indians can light up the scoreboard at any time, but with the confounding Masterson taking the hill and with the visitors hitting a groove – literally – expect the L.A. Angels to take a stranglehold on this series.<\/p>\n