The Los Angeles Angels are in must win mode at this point in the season if they hope to keep pace with the Texas Rangers in the AL West pennant race.

The Angels got a much needed win on Friday night against the Orioles in L.A.  Los Angeles struck first with a four run first inning, thanks in large part to a T. Hunter three run homer.  L.A. wasn't done yet however as they added an additional run in the second inning off of a solo HR from Burjous.  The Angels bats calmed down up until the seventh inning when Hunter hit his second HR of the night, this time a two run shot bringing the Angeles run total to seven. The Angels finished off their scoring on the night when Trout hit a solo HR in the eight giving the Angels their eighth run and third homerun of the evening.  Dan Haren got the start on Friday against the Orioles, and he was effective lasting seven innings and only surrendering three runs on nine hits.  The Angels are sending right hander Joel Pineiro to the mound on Saturday against the O's.  Pineiro is 3-5 in his career against Baltimore in 10 starts.  In Pineiro's last outing against the Orioles, he lasted 5.1 innings giving up three runs on 11 hits.

The Baltimore Orioles fell behind quickly to the Angels on Friday night and they were never able to recover.  The Orioles were already trailing 5-0 when they finally got on the board in the third inning off an RBI single by Wieters. The Baltimore Orioles then relied on two sacrifice flies from Jones, one in the fifth, and one in the seventh for their other two runs on the evening falling to the Angels 8-3.  Reyes was on the mound for the Orioles on Friday, and he was hit hard by the Angels, especially early on as he lasted just five innings and surrendered five runs on eight hits to L.A.  The Angels are sending pitcher Tommy Hunter to the mound on Saturday against the Angels hoping for a better result.  Hunter is just 1-4 in his career against the Angels with an ERA of 8.87.  

Both Hunter, and Pineiro have been getting hit very hard lately.  Pineiro is 0-2 with an ERA of 10.39 in his last three outings giving up an average of 5.3 runs per start, and Tommy Hunter for the Orioles is 1-1 in his last three starts with an ERA of 5.19, giving up an average of 3.3 runs per outing.

The total on Saturday night's game is set at 8.5, which I feel is too conservative.  Both starters have been hit hard both against their opponent on Saturday night, as well as in their last three outings in general.  I look for this game to hit the double digit mark on Saturday.  I like the Angels to get the win, but the stronger value looks to be on the total.