The Angels return home after a successful 11-3 road trip and continue interleague play against the visiting Brewers.
Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Angels
Milwaukee continues its 15-game interleague schedule tonight with the first of three games at Los Angeles. The Brewers are 86-104 all-time during interleague play, including 2-4 this season (-180) and 5-10 last season. Tonight’s contest is the Brewers’ first game against the Angels since the team took two of three games in Anaheim in 2004. The club managed to post an even 3-3 record on its recent homestand despite managing just a .125 (6-for-48) batting average with runners in scoring position. One player that has carried the offense is outfielder Corey Hart, hitting 14 home runs in his last 28 games, tops in the majors over that span. The Brewers bullpen has been much better of late, posting a 2.96 ERA over its last eight games.
Brewers SP Randy Wolf 4-6 with a 5.31 ERA and will be making his 14th start of the season tonight. He last started on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs, giving up a career-high five home runs in a 9-4 home defeat. The left-hander is 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles (AL), both coming as a member of the Dodgers last season. He is 2-4 with a 5.66 ERA in six road starts, with the main problem being the 23 walks issued in 35 innings of work. Milwaukee has lost his last three starts, getting outscored 27-8 in the process.
Los Angeles Angels was very impressive on its 14-game road trip, posting an 11-3 record and sweeping the Dodgers over the weekend. The Angels averaged 6.1 runs per game over the course of the trip and pushed their record to 18-6 in their last 24 interleague games. Starting pitching has been key in the team’s recent resurgence, as starters have combined to pitch to a 3.64 ERA over the last 36 games. “Our team is really built on what our starting rotation can do,” said manager Mike Scioscia. The Angels have been able to produce a 21-9 record since May 14, including a 8-2-1 mark in their last 11 series overall.
Angels SP Joe Saunders hopes to lead his team to its eighth victory in 10 home games tonight and pick up a win in a season-high third consecutive start. “Joe’s been pitching very consistent baseball for us,” Scioscia said. “Hopefully, it’s going to continue on that roll.” The left-hander is 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA during interleague play over his career. He has struggled at Angel Stadium this season, going 1-5 with a 6.34 ERA in seven starts. Saunders has always produced solid numbers in June, going 8-4 with a 4.32 ERA in 15 starts during the month. The Angels have won six of his last seven starts overall.
Total players have some interesting trends to shoot at, with the Angels being 5-1 O/U during interleague play thus far. Milwaukee is 35-24 O/U for the season and the over is a perfect six-for-six on Monday’s for the club.
