The Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels meet Friday in MLB action from Angel Stadium. Baltimore is coming off a series versus the Astros this week. The O’s managed wins in all three of those outings. As for the Angels, they played the Yankees in their last set. LA won two of the first three games, then on Thursday the Angels had a rainout and postponement. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Baltimore posted a strong showing versus Houston this week, winning 9-7 Monday, 13-3 Tuesday and 5-2 in the Wednesday game. Starting pitcher Matt Harvey went 4.1 innings with two earned on four hits and two walks in the finale.
For the starter job in the Friday game, the Orioles will go with Keegan Akin. This year over 10 games (six starts), Akin has a 0-4 record with a 7.11 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 38.0 innings of work.
Over on the Angels’ side, they lost to the Yankees 11-5 on Tuesday but otherwise bagged wins 5-3 Monday and 11-8 on Wednesday. Los Angeles’ Thursday game was postponed due to rain in the forecast.
For the starter job on Friday, LA will send out Griffin Canning. This year Canning has 60.0 innings with 59 hits, 35 runs (33 earned) 12 homers allowed, 26 walks, 62 Ks and a 4.95 ERA overall.
The Orioles are 33-67 in their last 100 road games versus a team with a losing record and 29-60 in their last 89 versus the AL West. Baltimore is 21-44 in their last 65 Friday games and 19-43 in their last 62 road games.
Meanwhile, the Angels are 12-30 in their last 42 Friday games and 11-5 in their last 16 home games. The over is 21-4-1 in LA’s last 26 home games versus a lefty starter and 19-7 in their last 26 overall.
PICK: I’m going to take a stab on the Orioles. Both these teams showed some great signs in their last series, but Baltimore was especially impressive. The O’s offense managed a whopping 27 runs in three games and held Houston to just five runs over their last pair. If Akin can post a decent start here I can see him getting his first victory. Should be an interesting series.