Orioles vs. Angels Series Preview: Baltimore Looks To Build Momentum After Statement Series Win Over Dodgers
Orioles vs. Angels Series Preview: Baltimore Looks To Build Momentum After Statement Series Win Over Dodgers
The Baltimore Orioles finally have some momentum.
After a dominant 12-1 victory over the Dodgers on Sunday to secure a series win in Los Angeles, the Orioles now head south to Anaheim for a three-game set against the last-place Los Angeles Angels. Baltimore enters the series at 37-42, while the Angels sit at 32-47. On paper, this is exactly the type of series the Orioles need to win if they want to continue climbing back toward .500 and remain relevant in the American League Wild Card race.
The Orioles have played much better baseball recently despite a growing injury list. Baltimore has won five of its last ten games and just knocked off one of the National League’s best teams. Meanwhile, the Angels have also gone 5-5 over their last ten games but continue to struggle near the bottom of the AL West standings.
This series features several intriguing storylines: Baltimore’s injury-riddled roster trying to stay afloat, Kyle Bradish attempting to continue stabilizing the rotation, Shane Baz looking to put together another strong outing, and former Angels outfielder Taylor Ward returning to face his old club.
Most importantly, this series represents an opportunity.
Good teams beat teams below them in the standings. If Baltimore wants to become one of those teams, Anaheim is a place where the Orioles need to leave with at least two victories.
Series Schedule
Game One
Monday, June 22 Baltimore Orioles at Los Angeles Angels 9:38 p.m. ET
Orioles: Kyle Bradish (4-7, 4.00 ERA)
Angels: Sam Aldegheri (2-2, 4.50 ERA)
Game Two
Tuesday, June 23 9:38 p.m. ET
Orioles: Shane Baz (4-7, 4.04 ERA)
Angels: TBD
Game Three
Wednesday, June 24 4:07 p.m. ET
Orioles: Trey Gibson (1-2, 5.81 ERA)
Angels: José Soriano (projected)
Orioles Injury Report
No storyline is bigger for Baltimore right now than health.
The Orioles have spent most of the season shuffling players on and off the injured list. While some reinforcements are getting closer, Baltimore remains significantly shorthanded entering this series.
Adley Rutschman
The biggest recent loss came Saturday when Adley Rutschman was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list after suffering a head injury against Seattle. The All-Star catcher is batting .254 with eight home runs, 40 RBIs and a .787 OPS this season. Rutschman’s absence removes one of Baltimore’s most important bats and leaders from the lineup.
Dean Kremer
Kremer remains on the 60-day injured list with a quadriceps injury but has begun rehab work and is trending toward a July return. Before getting hurt, Kremer posted a 4.09 ERA and looked like an important piece of the Orioles rotation depth.
Cade Povich
Povich continues working back from elbow inflammation. Baltimore hopes the young left-hander can rejoin the rotation sometime in July. The Orioles have desperately needed healthy starters throughout the season.
Chris Bassitt
Veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt remains sidelined with lower back discomfort. Bassitt was signed during the offseason to provide stability but struggled to a 5.27 ERA before landing on the injured list. Baltimore is currently evaluating young arms such as Trey Gibson while Bassitt recovers.
Zach Eflin
Eflin remains on the 60-day injured list with an elbow injury. Baltimore expected Eflin to be a major contributor this season after bringing him back, but injuries have limited him significantly.
Felix Bautista
Bautista remains out while recovering from shoulder issues. Losing one of baseball’s elite late-inning relievers has significantly impacted Baltimore’s bullpen depth throughout the season.
Ryan Mountcastle
Mountcastle remains on the 60-day injured list with a foot injury. Baltimore has missed his right-handed power and defensive ability around first base.
Jordan Westburg
Westburg continues recovering from UCL surgery and remains on the 60-day injured list. Baltimore’s infield depth has been tested throughout his absence.
Dylan Beavers
One of Baltimore’s top prospects is nearing a return from an oblique injury. Beavers could provide additional outfield depth during the second half.
Jackson Holliday
Holliday enters the series listed as day-to-day with a groin injury. The Orioles expect him to remain available. Baltimore hopes Holliday can continue building momentum after showing flashes throughout the season.
Angels Injury Report
The Angels are dealing with major losses of their own.
Mike Trout
The future Hall of Famer is currently on the injured list with a hamstring injury. Trout was still producing at an elite level before getting hurt, hitting .234 with 17 home runs, 36 RBIs and an .866 OPS. His absence dramatically changes the Angels lineup.
Jorge Soler
Soler is also on the injured list with a hip injury. The veteran slugger has nine home runs and 33 RBIs this season. Without Soler and Trout, the Angels lose a significant portion of their middle-of-the-order power.
Other Key Angels Injuries
The Angels are also without Yoán Moncada, Travis d’Arnaud, Anthony Rendon, Ben Joyce, Yusei Kikuchi and several additional contributors. Injuries have played a major role in Los Angeles falling to the bottom of the AL West.
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
Game One: Kyle Bradish vs. Sam Aldegheri
This matchup heavily favors Baltimore.
Bradish enters with an even 4.00 ERA and 85 strikeouts. The record may not look impressive, but Bradish has steadily improved as the season has progressed following his return from Tommy John surgery. Baltimore views Bradish as one of the rotation’s foundational pieces moving forward.
The Angels counter with Aldegheri, a young left-hander who owns a respectable 4.50 ERA but only 13 strikeouts. Baltimore’s right-handed bats should have opportunities if they remain patient.
Edge: Orioles
Game Two: Shane Baz vs. TBD
Baz remains one of the Orioles’ most fascinating players.
Acquired to provide upside near the top of the rotation, Baz enters with a 4.04 ERA and 76 strikeouts. The stuff remains electric. When Baz commands his fastball and secondary pitches, he has the ability to dominate. The challenge has been consistency.
The Angels have yet to announce a starter, creating additional uncertainty for Game Two.
Edge: Orioles
Game Three: Trey Gibson vs. José Soriano
Gibson’s emergence has become one of Baltimore’s more important developments.
With Bassitt, Kremer, Povich and Eflin all spending time injured, Gibson has received an opportunity to prove he belongs. Baltimore will need Gibson to continue developing if the club hopes to survive the second half.
Soriano provides a tougher challenge for Baltimore if he gets the start.
Slight Edge: Angels
Orioles Players To Watch
Pete Alonso
Alonso continues to be one of Baltimore’s most dangerous hitters.
The slugger delivered a massive three-run homer against the Dodgers and remains the Orioles’ premier power threat. Baltimore will need Alonso to continue driving in runs while Rutschman remains sidelined.
Colton Cowser
Cowser is coming off one of his best performances of the season after collecting three hits and four RBIs Sunday. Baltimore needs continued production from Cowser near the top of the lineup.
Blaze Alexander
Few Orioles have been hotter.
Alexander has become one of Baltimore’s most productive hitters over the past month and continues earning more playing time. His versatility and offensive production have become extremely valuable given Baltimore’s injury situation.
Gunnar Henderson
Everything still revolves around Henderson.
The Orioles go as Henderson goes. Baltimore needs its franchise shortstop reaching base, creating offense and setting the tone at the top of the lineup.
Taylor Ward
Facing his former organization always adds intrigue.
Ward has been one of Baltimore’s most productive veterans and should be highly motivated against the Angels.
Angels Players To Watch
Zach Neto
With Trout sidelined, Neto has become the Angels’ most dangerous hitter.
The shortstop enters the series with 15 home runs, 34 RBIs and 11 stolen bases while recently delivering several clutch hits. Baltimore’s pitchers must limit his opportunities.
Jo Adell
Adell leads the Angels with 41 RBIs and continues showing the power that once made him one of baseball’s top prospects.
Vaughn Grissom
Recently back from injury, Grissom gives the Angels another quality bat capable of creating traffic on the bases.
Three Keys To The Series
1. Take Advantage Of The Injuries
The Angels are missing Mike Trout and Jorge Soler.
The Orioles are missing Rutschman but still have more offensive firepower available. Baltimore has to capitalize.
2. Win The Bradish Start
Game One feels like the swing game.
Baltimore has the pitching advantage and should be favored. Winning Monday would immediately put pressure on the Angels.
3. Keep The Dodgers Momentum Going
The Orioles just beat one of baseball’s best teams.
Great clubs follow up big series wins by handling business against weaker opponents. Baltimore now has a chance to do exactly that.
MSB Prediction
The Orioles should win this series.
Baltimore has the better lineup, the better starting pitching matchups in the first two games and arrives with confidence after taking a series from the Dodgers. The Angels are missing Trout and Soler, while Baltimore’s offense appears to be heating up at the right time.
The Orioles still have major injury concerns, particularly with Rutschman out and several starters on the shelf. However, Bradish and Baz give Baltimore a significant advantage at the front of the series, and the Orioles’ lineup should be able to generate enough offense against an Angels pitching staff that has struggled throughout the season.
Prediction: Orioles win the series 2-1.
If Baltimore can leave Anaheim with two victories, the Orioles will head home having won consecutive series on the West Coast and with reinforcements potentially arriving from the injured list in the coming weeks. For a team trying to climb back into the playoff conversation, that would be a very successful week.
