The Baltimore Orioles are gearing up for a challenging matchup against the Los Angeles Angels as they look to snap a five-game losing streak. Currently, the Orioles sit at 13-23, struggling to find their footing in the season. The insights come from Dan Johnson, who provides a detailed preview and prediction for the Friday night game.
Starting for the Orioles will be Tomoyuki Sugano, who has a respectable 3.00 ERA, but his underlying metrics raise concerns—particularly his 5.12 FIP and low strikeout rate of 2.08 K/9. Conversely, the Orioles have struggled collectively, with a team ERA of 5.50, ranking them near the bottom of the league.
Kyle Hendricks will take the mound for the Angels. He’s coming off a strong performance against the Detroit Tigers, pitching 7.2 innings while allowing just one earned run. Though his ERA is 5.28, his overall performance suggests he is becoming more effective, particularly at home. Hendricks’ ability to keep hitters off-balance and induce weak contact could be significant in this matchup.
The Orioles have power hitters like Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn but have struggled offensively, ranking 24th in wRC+ this season. Baltimore’s pitching staff has not fared much better, allowing a cumulative WHIP of 1.53 and an opposing batting average of .287, placing them 28th in both categories.
The Angels, despite their own batting issues ranking 24th in runs and 28th in OBP, are capable of capitalizing on Baltimore’s weak pitching. They are ranked in MLB’s top 10 in barrel rate, showcasing their potential to generate offense, even without star player Mike Trout in the lineup. Players like Logan O’Hoppe and Jorge Soler have been notable contributors.
Considering recent performance, the Angels have covered the run line in five of their last six night games against AL East opponents. Additionally, they have a strong over record in their past games, scoring explosively when necessary. With the Orioles’ bullpen struggling, ultimately ranking 29th in ERA and WHIP, late-game situations may favor the Angels significantly.
Johnson predicts a close game with a score of 6-5, leaning towards the over on the runs as well. The combination of Hendricks’ steadiness and Baltimore’s pitching struggles could prove advantageous for the Angels.
With both teams looking for a turnaround, this matchup is positioned to be an exciting contest, potentially moving the Angels forward while presenting the Orioles with an opportunity to reflect and regroup.