The Los Angeles Angels aim to complete a three-game home sweep of the Detroit Tigers Wednesday afternoon at Angel Stadium
Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels
Detroit suffered a 1-0 loss to the Angels last night and have dropped both games of this series heading into today’s action. The Tigers are now just three games over .500 after dropping six of their last eight games overall. One player that hasn’t had a problem moving past the club’s struggles in designated hitter Victor Martinez, who is batting .358 with two home runs and 21 RBI over his last 37 games. He ranks third among all AL players in average over that span. Detroit now has a losing 10-12 mark versus AL West opponents and 21-12 in day games.
Tigers starting pitcher Brad Penny has tallied a 5-6 record and 4.43 ERA in 17 starts and has registered three straight quality starts coming into today. Despite his recent numbers on the mound, Penny has still managed to capture just one win over his last eight outings, while compiling a 4.82 ERA during that stretch. The right-hander has struggled mightily on the road, posting a 2-4 mark and 6.69 ERA in seven starts. He will be making his sixth lifetime start at Angel Stadium, going 2-2 with a 5.46 ERA.
Los Angeles has won 10 of its last 12 games and remain in a first place tie with Texas in the American League West standings. The Angels have also continued their domination of the Tigers, posting a 53-28 overall mark against them since the 2002 season. The club also pushed its home record above .500 with last night’s 1-0 win, which also moved its record to 7-1 on the current homestand. Over the last four games, the pitching staff has limited opponents to a .145 batting average. Los Angeles has been historically one of the better daytime teams over the past three years, recording a dominating 80-47 record.
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood is an even 5-5 with a 3.83 ERA in 16 starts this season and is coming off a 5-0 home loss to the Dodgers. In that particular start, the right-hander allowed four runs and 12 hits over five frames, while managing to strike out just one batter. Chatwood has struggled at times during his starts at Angel Stadium, posting a 2-4 record and 4.22 ERA, issuing 29 walks in 53 1/3 frames. The rookie has enjoyed pitching under the sun, entering with a 4-1 mark and 2.70 ERA, as opponents are hitting just .240 against him. Today will be his first career appearance versus the Tigers.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Angels due to their 7-1 record versus right-handed starters, while the Tigers are 1-6 as an underdog
