After a wild walk-off victory on Wednesday sealed a series win against the Indians the Halos will take the field Friday night against the Baltimore Orioles in a potential playoff preview. Both teams find themselves in similar situations in this weekends’ three game set in a variety of ways. Game one of the series will showcase two young pitchers with top of the rotation potential facing off against one another. We’ll see two staff anchors going toe to toe on Saturday and Sunday’s pitching match-up remains up in the air for both clubs.
Tonight’s contest pits two intriguing youthful arms on the hill, Andrew Heaney for the Angels and Kevin Gausman for the Orioles. Both young men have been prized prospects within their respective organizations throughout their young careers. However, the future is now for both. With 2015 playoff aspirations in each dugout, Heaney and Gausman will be called upon down the stretch to hopefully deliver their organizations to the postseason.
Heaney is coming off his only loss of the season. Now at 5-1 with a sterling 1.97 ERA the rival Dodgers handed him an “L” in his last start. But it was lack of run support that ultimately brought about his first loss as an Angel. The reigning American League rookie of the month for July, Heaney has delivered incredible returns in his first go-around as a Halo. The former #9 overall pick in the 2009 draft from Oklahoma State has allowed only 2 earned runs or fewer in all seven of his starts as an Angel. He appears to be the real deal and is creating some much needed excitement in Anaheim.
Gausman has recently been reinstated into the Orioles five man rotation. In his first start since being moved back into a starting role this past Saturday the right hander held the Detroit Tigers to two runs over seven quality innings. Unlike Heaney who has never faced Baltimore, Gausman has faced tonight’s opponent once before and earned the victory in that contest against the Angels.
Ubaldo Jimenez will take the hill for the Orioles on Saturday. In 21 starts for the Orioles in 2015 Jimenez has a 4.04 ERA with 9 quality starts to his credit. Throughout his career he has experienced ups and downs and this season has been no different. Capable of both dominating an opposing lineup at anytime Jimenez also is capable of getting hit and getting hit hard. To his credit he has been one of Baltimore’s most trusted starters this season however.
Opposing Jimenez will be Angels staff ace Garrett Richards. Richards sports an 11-8 record a 1.18 WHIP and a 3.46 ERA to go along with 106 K’s in 2015. His last start was Monday against the Indians and Richards took his lumps in the first inning sacrificing three runs including a two run bomb to catcher Yan Gomes. From there Richards settled in quite nicely, overpowering the Indians lineup deep into the game before giving way to the relief corps in the 8th inning. After the game Indians outfielder Michael Bourn was so impressed with Richards pitching repertoire that he told reporters “I’d be surprised in his career, if he doesn’t win the Cy Young one year.” Ditto that Mr. Bourn.
As of this this morning Sunday’s game is a bit of a mystery for both teams in terms of starting pitchers. It can be assumed that Jered Weaver will start for the Angels but that is not yet concrete. According to Mike Scioscia, Weaver is “light years ahead of where he was before going on the DL.” Scouts that have watched his rehab outings in the minor leagues say Weaver’s control has improved each time out. Lets hope so because they also say his average “fastball” velocity is 83 mph. That had better be located PERFECTLY or the gentleman in the outfield seats at the Big A with the “Trout Net” could unfortunately find himself holding a “Bird Net” for baseballs instead.
Considering the Angels will be facing at least two right handed starting pitchers in this series, fans should expect to see quite a bit of newcomers David DeJesus and David Murphy. Both were acquired by the Angels before the non-waiver trade deadline to man left field and DH against right handed pitching. Manager Mike Scioscia has subscribed to the platoon situation at both spots. Neither has fared all that well thus far as Angels, and this would be a nice time for both to get going. The Angels postseason hopes could lie heavily on their performances in the next two months. Time to get it rolling boys!
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