The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Vs.
The Toronto Blue Jays!
Game 1: Friday, April 16th, 2010
7:07 PM, Sportsnet
Shaun Marcum Vs. Jered Weaver
Pitching Comparison:
Angels: Weaver was virtually flawless against the Athletics on Saturday night at home, yielding a solo homer to Kevin Kouzmanoff on a hanging slider in six otherwise dominant innings. He yielded four hits and one walk while striking out seven hitters, reaching 111 pitches, 70 in the strike zone. His fastball command enabled him to throw fewer sliders and changeups than usual. Weaver is 5-1 in six career starts against the Blue Jays with a 3.00 ERA. In his only outing at Rogers Centre, he went seven innings and yielded one run, picking up a win.
Blue Jays: One is encouraging, but two is a trend. Marcum solidified his status as the Blue Jays' No. 1 starter by throwing another gem against the Orioles on Sunday, going six innings while allowing only two runs. Marcum, often compared to Greg Maddux in terms of pitching style, has an outstanding strikeout-to-walk ratio (11:2) thus far in 2010, which has contributed to his low ERA (3.46) and a minimal WHIP (0.92). He has yet to earn his first win of the season, but Marcum is 2-1 lifetime against the Angels, boasting an impressive 3.04 ERA.
Game 2: Saturday, April 17th, 2010
1:07 PM, Sportsnet
Brian Tallet Vs. Joe Saunders
Pitching Comparison:
Angels: Saunders pitched much better than his linescore would indicate against the A's on Sunday, as the left-hander allowed just one hit through his first six innings and retired 13 batters in a row before things unraveled in the seventh inning. Saunders allowed back-to-back singles and then a ground-rule double to score a run before being removed for Kevin Jepsen, who allowed both runners to score. So Saunders' final line read six-plus innings pitched with four runs allowed on four hits despite pitching so well the first six innings. It won't get any easier for Saunders, who is 1-3 with a 4.68 ERA in five career starts against the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays: After a fantastic first start resulting in a win over the Rangers, Tallet faltered in Monday's home opener against the White Sox, allowing six runs on eight hits over a six inning span. Andruw Jones in particular had Tallet's number as he homered twice and singled en route to a four-RBI performance. Tallet will look to bounce back against a tough Angels squad this Saturday. He's 0-1 against them with a 7.36 ERA over 11 career innings.
Game 3: Sunday, April 18th, 2010
1:07 PM, Sportsnet
Ricky Romero Vs. Ervin Santana
Pitching Comparison:
Angels: Santana struggled with his command Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, issuing five walks along with eight hits while surrendering five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. He worked out of trouble on several occasions, relying heavily on his slider to rack up seven strikeouts, but he was hurt by the long ball (two homers) and lack of control, driving his pitch count to 113. Santana has had his problems north of the border -- he's 1-2 with a 7.31 ERA in three career outings at Rogers Centre and is 2-3, 5.97 overall in six starts against the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays: Coming off a brilliant one-hit, 12 strikeout performance, spoiled only by a two-run home run by former teammate Alex Rios, Romero will look to carry his success into his start against the Angels on Sunday. Romero has been lights-out in two starts this season, showcasing a 1.80 ERA and a fantastic strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4:1. He has shown improved control from his 2009 rookie campaign that helped contribute to his early successes. In his short history versus the Angels, he is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in six innings.
Get 'em Jays. Net me 10, please
