Baltimore @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2010 ) LA Angels 4, Baltimore 5
Time is running out on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Winners of three straight American League West titles, the Angels were picked by many to finish first again, but a fourth consecutive title is almost out of reach. Not only does first-place Texas show no signs of slipping, the Angels show few signs they're about to get back in the race.
Los Angeles is in third place and trails the Rangers by 9 1/2 games. After winning five of six in early August, the inconsistencies that have dogged the Angels all season have once again surfaced. Los Angeles has dropped eight of 12 to fall two games under .500.
Offense has been the Angels' biggest problem. Los Angeles has been shut out three times and scored three runs or less six times in the last 12 games. The pitching staff has tried to hold up with this lack of support, but has had its problems as well, allowing six or more runs on four occasions.
Considering the team-wide problems, the Rangers' refusal to cool off and the fact the schedule is heading into the last weekend in August, the Angels' chances of repeating in the West get more remote every day.
Not only does manager Mike Scioscia have to hope his team goes on a prolonged hot streak, which hasn't happened all season, he also has to hope the Rangers start to slide.
Scioscia, in an effort to give some of his starting pitchers extra rest, has shuffled the rotation going into a series with Baltimore that begins tonight. Right-hander Trevor Bell will start the opener instead of Jered Weaver, who has been pushed back to Saturday.
Bell will be making his fifth start and 23rd appearance of the season. He allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings against Minnesota in his last outing. He walked six and threw 96 pitches, which cut short his appearance.
Keeping runners off the bases has been a problem for Bell all season. He has allowed 58 hits in 42 2/3 innings and opponents are batting .324 against him.
Baltimore’s Brad Bergesen hasn't lost since July 26 and is 2-0 in his last five starts. He has allowed three runs or less four times in that stretch. Ironically, his worst outing resulted in a win. Bergesen gave up five runs and nine hits in seven innings, but was bailed out by his offense in an 8-6 victory.
Bergesen has allowed 155 hits in 123 1/3 innings and has been tagged for 21 home runs.
The Orioles are 13-10 since Buck Showalter took over as manager on July 3, but have lost six of their last nine.