Friday, September 5, 2014

Target Field in Minneapolis

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On Friday night, Matt Shoemaker (14-4) will be going for his fifth win in a row for the Los Angeles Angels when they take on veteran right-hander Ricky Nolasco (5-10) and the Minnesota Twins.

In his start against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, Matt Shoemaker pitched seven scoreless innings and picked up the win. He gave up just five hits in that outing and struck out seven batters without walking anyone. Shoemaker now has a very solid 3.14 ERA after that win and he has struck out 115 hitters in 117.2 innings this season.

The Twins will be getting their first chance to face Shoemaker on Friday night. So far this year, the right-hander has held right-handed batters to a .220 batting average with a .614 OPS, while left-handed hitters are batting .252 against him with a .702 OPS.

Ricky Nolasco extended his winless streak to five games on Sunday when he was beaten by the Baltimore Orioles on the road. He gave up a season-high eight earned runs in five innings of work that day while walking two batters and striking out two. Nolasco now has a 5.96 ERA on the year and has given up 11.9 hits per nine innings, which is the worst rate of his career.

One player on the Angels who Nolasco has never liked facing is first baseman Albert Pujols, who is 12-for-22 against him in his career with five doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI.

Los Angeles Angels Betting Trends

Los Angeles Angels are 65-68-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Los Angeles Angels is 0.8

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

Minnesota Twins are 72-62-5 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Minnesota Twins is -0.3

Injuries to Watch

Los Angeles Angels

08/22/14 P Garrett Richards Knee 60-day DL (8/21), out for season
08/03/14 P Joe Thatcher Ankle 15-day DL (8/3)
08/01/14 P Tyler Skaggs Forearm 60-day DL (7/31), out for season
05/28/14 P Sean Burnett Elbow 15-day DL (5/29), out for season
05/12/14 3B Ian Stewart Hand 15-day DL (5/11)
04/17/14 P Ryan Brasier Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Brian Moran Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Minnesota Twins

08/25/14 P Yohan Pino Elbow out indefinitely
05/03/14 P Mike Pelfrey Groin 60-day DL (5/1)

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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