Series Preview: Los Angeles Angels at Arizona Diamondbacks (8/21-8/22)
After winning their most recent game 4-3 over San Diego, the Arizona Diamondbacks will now host the Los Angeles Angels in a two-game series.
While the Arizona Diamondbacks’ nine-game road trip should have been a cake-walk, they got off to a slow start before recovering at the end. In total, the D-Backs went 5-4 and now hold a slim in the NL West title race.
Luckily, Arizona will now head home for a little while. They will play two games against the Los Angeles Angels followed by three against the Seattle Mariners.
In-Depth Series Preview:
(odds courtesy of OddsShark)
Who: Los Angeles Angels (53-53) at Arizona Diamondbacks (69-56)
When: Tuesday, August 21st through Wednesday, August 22nd
Where: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Head to Head: Arizona is 1-1 vs. LAA this year.
World Series Odds: ARI (+1200); LAA (+90000)
Local TV: Angels (Fox Sports West); Diamondbacks (Fox Sports Arizona)
Local Radio: Angels (KLAA 830 AM); Diamondbacks (KMVP 98.7 FM)
National TV: All games are available to MLB.tv subscribers.
National Radio: All games are available to MLB.tv or MLB Gameday Audio subscribers. Right now, MLB.tv is just $49.99 for the remainder of the season or $24.99 monthly. MLB Gameday Audio is included with MLB.tv but you can also subscribe separately for $19.99/mo.
Series Schedule:
- Tues, August 21st: LAA at ARI, 9:40 ET
- Wed, August 22nd: LAA at ARI, 9:40 ET
Projected Starters:
Key Injuries:
- Arizona: OF, Jarrod Dyson (OUT); 3B, Jake Lamb (OUT)
- Los Angeles: OF, Mike Trout (OUT); SP, Garrett Richards (OUT); OF, Chris Young (OUT); RP, Hansel Robles (OUT)
Old Friends:
- Justin Upton: Back in the day, Upton was a two-time All-Star with the D-Backs, as well as a fan favorite. Now, six years after he left the Valley, he’s still mashing in Los Angeles. This year, Upton has 26 home runs with the Angels.
- Chris Young: At the same time Upton was making All-Star Games, so was Chris Young. The pair played five seasons together in the D-Backs outfield, including two different playoff runs. This year, Young has hit less than .200 with the Halos and is currently on the DL.
- Tyler Skaggs: Another former teammate of Upton and Young, Skaggs came up during their final year in Arizona (2012). Skaggs started 13 games for the D-Backs, eventually earning a regular spot in the Angels’ rotation. He, like Young, is also on the DL.
- JC Ramirez: Back in 2015, Ramirez pitched in 15 games for the D-Backs. Since then, he’s bounced around a bit but has found a home in LA. With that said, he’s also on the DL.
Trending. Reviewing D-Backs Official 'Top 20 Moments' List. light
Stat Nerds:
- As of August 21st, Ketel Marte is the only MLB player with at least 10 singles, doubles, triples, and home runs in 2018.
- With his 11th home run in Arizona’s most recent game, Daniel Descalso set a career-high for home runs in a season.
- John Ryan Murphy is hitless in his last 33 at-bats.
Fun Stuff:
- Arizona heads into the series with a half-game lead over the Rockies for first place in the NL West.