The Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels begin a three-game series at Angel Stadium on Monday. Los Angeles took two of three when the two teams met earlier this season.
Rough Road
The Tigers are a very rough 30-71 so far this season. They have had a very difficult season and will be in full rebuild mode yet again going forward. They will be on the road in this series, where they are 17-35 this year. Detroit is just 1-9 over its last 10 games and comes in on a six-game losing streak.
Making the start for the Tigers will be 33-year-old Jordan Zimmermann. Zimmermann is 0-8 this season, still seeking his first win. He has a 7.57 ERA and just 43 strikeouts over 60 2/3 innings pitched. Needless to say, there are not many other teams in the league that Zimmermann would be starting for. The Tigers will need him to step up and put together a solid performance if they want to have a shot in this game.
Despite their season, every team has leaders. First baseman Brandon Dixon leads the Tigers with 13 home runs and 39 runs batted in. The 27-year-old has had a solid season so far and will hope to continue producing if the Tigers want to have any success moving forward. Detroit’s batting average leader is Nicholas Castellano at .275, which is above their .231 team average.
Fighting To Move Up
The Angels are 55-52 this season and in third place in the AL West, 13 games behind the Houston Astros. While they are pretty far out in the division, they do have a shot at a Wild Card, where they are currently just five games back from the Oakland A’s. The Angels will be at home for this series, where they are 28-26 this season.
Jaime Barria will be getting the start for the Angels. Barria picked up his fourth win in his last start, where he gave up just one run over five innings, bringing him to 4-3 this season. He carries a 6.63 ERA this year with 37 strikeouts. The Angles will need Barria to give them some solid outings as starting pitchers Ramirez and Heaney are currently on the IL.
It comes as no surprise that MVP outfielder Mike Trout leads the Angels in home runs with 34, batting average with .297, and runs batted in with 85. Mike Trout is, without a doubt, a generational talent who has an influence in every game he plays in. The Tigers are going to have to have a gameplan for Trout in every game in this series to avoid letting him have too much of an impact.
What To Expect
While the Angels are not necessarily a powerhouse team, the Tigers are very rough and don’t stand much of a chance against anyone. Their pitcher doesn’t have a win this season, and I do not see that changing here. I am taking the Angels to win this one easy.
