Red Sox Series Preview: Vs. Angels

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May 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Angels center fielder

Mike Trout

(27) gestures after scoring with shortstop

Erick Aybar

(2) against Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox (19-22) begin their three-game home series against the Los Angeles Angels (21-20) tonight. The Red Sox are 5-5 in their last 10 games, including their recent series loss to the Texas Rangers. The Angels are 7-3 in their last 10 games, but ended their series in Toronto with a loss against the Blue Jays.

With over a month before the All-Star break, both teams will want to gain momentum into June with a series win. Let’s look at the tale of the tape:

** All statistics come from MLB.com

May 16, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher

Rick Porcello

(22) throws during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching Matchups @ Red Sox (Fenway Park):

May 22nd @ 7:10 PM ET;

Garrett Richards (3-2, 2.29 ERA) vs. Rick Porcello (4-2, 4.26 ERA)
In his last five games, Richards has not given up more than two runs, in an average of seven innings per outing. For the season, Richards has only given up a single home run. Maybe that fact will change, once Richards steps into Fenway Park.
Porcello’s last four starts have been exactly what the Red Sox needed, winning three of them in the process. While he has struck out just over five batters a game, in that stretch, Porcello has controlled the damage with groundballs for his defense to clean up for him.

May 23rd @ 7:15 PM ET;

C.J. Wilson (2-2, 3.06 ERA) vs. Steven Wright (1-1, 4.02 ERA)
It hasn’t been all shampoo commercials and smiles for Wilson, in recent years, but he has done well in his last five starts. That is, until his game against the Blue Jays, where he gave up 10 hits and four runs in five innings in Toronto. The lefty will look to rectify that mistake, and regaining the form he showed previously, against Boston.
Filling in for Justin Masterson, who is on the disabled list, Wright has pitched two solid games, giving up a combined five runs in 10.2 innings of work. He has eight strikeouts to four walks in that span. However, those performances were against weaker competition from the American League West division in the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners. The Angels will be a much bigger task to tackle, as Wright looks to keep his team in the game, for the Boston bats to come alive.

May 24th @ 1:35 PM ET;

Hector Santiago (3-2, 2.25 ERA) vs. Wade Miley (3-4, 5.10 ERA)
After allowing four runs to the San Francisco Giants, Santiago has only given up two runs in three starts. The lefty has a 2.84 ERA in away games, compared to 1.86 at home, making him prime for another San Francisco treat in Boston, if the Red Sox’ righty bats can handle him.
After a roller-coaster of a start to the season, Red Sox Nation is hoping that Miley is finally settling down. In his last two starts, Miley threw a combined 12 innings, allowing only two runs, while striking out eight opposing bats, in that span. If Miley can continue keeping the ball low, the aggressive bats of the Angels should provide him with a number of groundouts and strikeouts to keep his team in the game.

May 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Angels first baseman

Marc Krauss

(39) celebrates a home run with designated hitter Mike Trout (27) during first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Angels’ Key Players To Watch:

Outfielder Mike Trout has historical success against Porcello, hitting a home run and six RBIs in 15 at-bats. In his last seven games, Trout has hit .321, with two home runs and three RBIs. As quite possibly the face of Major League Baseball, Trout will look to punish any balls left over the plate with his power, and will cause havoc on the base paths with his speed. He has seven stolen bases, this season.

Catcher Chris Iannetta is absolutely on fire for the Angels, recently. With a home run and four RBIs, Iannetta is putting his .467 batting average to good use, in the last seven games. He is absolutely driving the ball, no matter where it goes, with his .800 slugging percentage, making him a threat each time that he touches the baseball.

Third baseman David Freese may not have the same batting average as Iannetta, but his game isn’t lacking in production. With three home runs and six RBIs in the last week, Freese is on a tear of his own. Red Sox pitchers will look to fool Freese with some pitches out of the strikezone, as he and Trout lead the team with 37 strikeouts for the season.

May 16, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter

David Ortiz

(34) hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox’ Key Players To Watch:

Designated hitter David Ortiz has done better at the plate in terms of batting average (.389), recently. He has two home runs and four RBIs in his last seven games, to show for his efforts. In order for the Red Sox to get out of their recent hitting woes, they will need their face of the franchise to lead them to glory. At present, Boston is second to last in all of Major League Baseball in run production (13) in the same time span. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers have less runs, with 12.

First baseman Mike Napoli is a career .571 against Richards, hitting a home run and three RBIs. Look for him to continue that success tonight. In his last seven games, Napoli has hit .250, with a home run and two RBIs; however, his numbers are significantly lower for the season, hitting .178.

Third baseman Pablo Sandoval is expected to make his return from a bruised knee tonight, according to Jason Mastrodonato of The Boston Herald. At home, in the cathedral of Boston, Sandoval has hit .321 and has played good defense to help the team win. Look for Sandoval to want to get back in the swing of things by belting some balls around Fenway, in this series.

May 20, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Fans at Fenway Park try to catch a foul ball during the fourth inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Predictions:

Game One Winner – Boston Red Sox, in a very tight affair

Game Two Winner – Boston Red Sox, as the bats will get to Wilson, early

Game Three Winner – Los Angelos Angels, as Miley will not be able to fend off the mistakes for long

All three games are winnable, but are also potential losses. The pitching matchups seem pretty even. It will all come down to the bats. If the trends continue, then these predictions are wrong, and the Angels will take the series. If the Red Sox are ready to burst the dam open for runs, then their pitching should hold off the Angels long enough for the wins.

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