Braves Update: The Braves recent surge has been stalled this week by back to back hideous, soul crushing losses in Arizona. The Braves essentially wasted a quarter season’s worth of excellent starting pitching and middle relief. With a +42 run differential (2nd best in the majors), the Braves could easily have the best record in the game. Instead, they are 25-21 and in 3rd place in the NL East, 2.5 games behind the 1st place Phillies, and 1 game back of Florida. All of the tight, low scoring games will eventually take a toll on the bullpen. The team is also banged up at the moment, with Peter Moylan and Brandon Beachy out for the foreseeable future, and Chipper Jones and Jason Heyward struggling to play through injuries.
This will be a challenging series in Anaheim, but the Braves really need to take 2 out of 3 in order to make up for the disappointing losses in Arizona. The Braves are playing the Angels at what seems to be a good time, as the Halos have lost 5 in a row. The Braves also have a couple of things going for them in the pitching matchups. They won’t have to face a lefty in this series, and that’s always key. More importantly, the Braves miss both of Anaheim’s aces in Jered Weaver and Dan Haren.
In addition, playing with the DH could end up being a big boost for the Bravos. For one, Chipper Jones won’t have to play the field in the first two games. Also, the Braves will be able to keep Mac in the lineup for Sunday’s game, while also giving him a day off from behind the plate. And the Braves will get two of their hotter hitters into the lineup during the series, with Eric Hinske playing the first two nights (against right handed pitching) and David Ross getting the start at catcher in the finale. Plus, having the DH should allow the Braves to cover up what is obviously their biggest weakness: the bench. But of course all of this is on paper. Let’s face it, regardless of who the opposing pitcher is, the Braves could easily get no-hit on any given night.
Angels Update: It looked like the Angels might be ready to take back the AL West this season, as they got off to a solid start and watched the Rangers lose several key players to injuries. However, Anaheim has lost 5 in a row and they are now a game under .500 for the season at 22-23. They have a -5 run differential. They are in 3rd place but still just 1.5 games out of 1st. They are only 9-10 at home so far but they’ve been one of the best teams in baseball during interleague play over the last few years.
Like Atlanta, the Angels have played a number of close games this season, and so far they are just 7-10 in 1-run ball games. This may seem hard to believe, but the Angels have actually played more extra inning games than the Braves this season. They are 4-6 in those games, the most extra inning losses in the majors.
The Angels have gotten good pitching and defense so far this year. They are 3rd in the AL in defensive efficiency and fielding percentage. They rank 4th in the AL in runs allowed and ERA, and 5th in WHIP. Their starting pitchers are 3rd in the AL in ERA, tied 2nd in Quality Starts, and 1st in WHIP. For years, Anaheim had one of the best, and at times, the best bullpen in baseball. While Jordan Walden has emerged as a reasonably good closer option, the Angels have had an average pen so far. They are 6th in the AL in BP ERA, 9th in WHIP, and dead last in Save Percentage.
The Angels have struggled to score runs this season, despite the 2nd best team batting average in the AL. They don’t seem to have the speed that they used to. They are 6th in the AL in steals but tied 12th in fewest GDP. They are 8th in OBP, 9th in slugging, and 9th in OPS. They are just 9th in walks and 10th in homers. Overall they are 11th out of 14 in the AL in runs scored per game.
Opposing Starters
Ervin Santana (RH): The veteran is just 1-4 in 9 starts with a 4.85 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He hasn’t had much luck at home, going 0-3 in 4 starts with a 5.14 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.
Joel Pineiro (RH): He’s been a bit of a surprise so far in 2011. He was hurt at the start of the year but in 4 starts he is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.
Tyler Chatwood (RH): This is one of those guys that I only know from seeing their name when searching the waiver wire in fantasy baseball. The rookie is 2-2 in 8 starts with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. He’s been better at home, going 1-1 in 5 starts with a 3.23 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.
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