The San Diego Padres have a chance to complete their first three-game sweep of the season. Their opponent on Wednesday night at Petco Park is the ailing Los Angeles Angels.
So far, the Padres have dominated the series, outscoring the Angels 16-5 in the first two games. The Angels have been dealing with the absence of their star outfielder, Mike Trout, who suffered a right calf injury during Sunday’s game. Although Trout’s condition is day-to-day, his absence has significantly impacted the Angels’ offense.
On the other hand, the Padres have been in excellent form recently. They have won six out of their last seven games and currently hold the second place in the National League West.
Taking the mound for the Padres will be Yu Darvish, who has had a solid season with a 7-4 record and a 3.38 ERA. The Angels, on the other hand, will have Michael Lorenzen as their pitcher, with a 6-5 record and a 4.41 ERA.
Despite the Padres being the clear favorites in this game, the Angels remain a dangerous team, even without Trout. If the Angels can produce timely hits, they have the potential to make the game interesting.
Some key players to watch in this matchup are:
- Yu Darvish (Padres): When Darvish is in top form, he is one of the best pitchers in baseball. The Padres will rely on him to maintain their winning streak and complete the sweep.
- Michael Lorenzen (Angels): Lorenzen’s performance has been inconsistent this season, but he has the capability of pitching exceptionally well. If he can effectively limit the Padres’ offensive power, the Angels will have an opportunity to secure a victory.
- Manny Machado (Padres): Machado has been on a remarkable streak, batting .385 with six home runs and 18 RBIs in his last 15 games. He aims to continue his impressive performance against the Angels.
- Shohei Ohtani (Angels): Ohtani is always a player to watch due to his exceptional skills. He has a batting average of .256 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs this season, in addition to his dominant pitching abilities.
While the Padres are favored to win, the Angels should not be underestimated. Even without Trout, they possess the potential to create an intriguing matchup if they can capitalize on crucial hitting opportunities.
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