Marlins Look to Slow Down Trout, Angels

With the easy part of the Marlins road trip in the rearview mirror, the Fish head to Anaheim to take on the Los Angeles Angels. Unfortunately Miami was unable to win the series against the last place Colorado Rockies, although the Rock’s are a much better team at home than on the road.

Miami will look to improve as they take on one of the hottest teams in baseball in the Angels. L.A. is atop numerous power rankings as the best team currently in baseball, winners of 9 of their past 12 games and currently 1 game ahead of the Oakland Athletics for 1st in the American League West.

It will be fun to watch two of the top players in baseball with Mike Trout roaming center field for the Halo’s and Giancarlo Stanton manning right field for the Marlins.

Game 1 will feature Jarred Cosart looking to build on his solid start facing Los Angeles pitcher Wade LeBlanc. LeBlanc was recently called up after Garrett Richards was lost for the season after a ugly left knee injury. This is likely the Marlins best chance to steal a game in Anaheim as Cosart has been pitching well and LeBlanc is the biggest question mark in this rotation.

Game 2 will pit Nathan Eovaldi against Matt Shoemaker. Shoemaker has been excellent this season with 12 wins and a 3.69 ERA. He has been even better of late posting 6 straight outings of 2 or fewer earned runs allowed. Miami will have their work cut out for them this night.

Hector Santiago will test the Marlins in the finale, as he is capable of boasting excellent movement and is on a streak of his own recently. He has allowed 6 total runs in his last 8 starts. He is prone to walk batters from time to time and patience will likely be paramount if the Fish are going to have success against him. Fortunately Miami will send their ace Henderson Alvarez who has been just as good lately, earning a win in 4 consecutive starts.

The Angels are coming off of a big series in Oakland, and will face the Athletics immediately following the series with the Fish. Miami fans should be hopeful that Los Angeles overlooks the Fish coming off of a high of regaining the division lead and looking forward to the important divisional games upcoming.

Either way, this is sure to be one of the toughest series’ that the Marlins have faced. It would be a success to take 1 game and prevent the sweep. How well do you think the Marlins will play? Let us know in the comments below.