PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Monday Massacre
(MLB) Seattle vs. LA Angels,
Money Line: -128.00 Seattle (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -128.00 Seattle (Away)
Result: Win
Seattle is playing well wining 10 of its last 12. The Angels are a train wreck right now losing 10 in a row with all but one of those defeats coming by multiple runs.
The Angels' confidence is down and their concentration could be off, too, returning home after being gone for 11 days.
Seattle has hit 51 more homers than the Angels and owns a starting pitching and bullpen edge.
The buy sign is back on with Felix Hernandez after he permitted only one run on three hits in seven innings against the Tigers five days ago. Hernandez is back in shape after missing seven weeks due to a strained right calf. He has 22 strikeouts in his last 20 innings.
Ricky Nolasco will be making his second start for the Angels. He has a 7.00 lifetime ERA at Angel Stadium in three starts. Nolasco is 4-9 with a 5.14 ERA. He had a 5.38 ERA last year. At 33, Nolasco is who he is - a journeyman innings-eater.
The Angels don't have the bullpen arms to back Nolasco. Joe Smith is traded. Closer Huston Street is on the DL. So is Cam Bedrosian, who had taken over the closer role when Street went on the DL.
The Mariners, meanwhile, have solved their closer issues with Edwin Diaz stepping up to fill the role with flair and effectiveness. He's given up one run in his last 15 appearances.
The Angels' confidence is down and their concentration could be off, too, returning home after being gone for 11 days.
Seattle has hit 51 more homers than the Angels and owns a starting pitching and bullpen edge.
The buy sign is back on with Felix Hernandez after he permitted only one run on three hits in seven innings against the Tigers five days ago. Hernandez is back in shape after missing seven weeks due to a strained right calf. He has 22 strikeouts in his last 20 innings.
Ricky Nolasco will be making his second start for the Angels. He has a 7.00 lifetime ERA at Angel Stadium in three starts. Nolasco is 4-9 with a 5.14 ERA. He had a 5.38 ERA last year. At 33, Nolasco is who he is - a journeyman innings-eater.
The Angels don't have the bullpen arms to back Nolasco. Joe Smith is traded. Closer Huston Street is on the DL. So is Cam Bedrosian, who had taken over the closer role when Street went on the DL.
The Mariners, meanwhile, have solved their closer issues with Edwin Diaz stepping up to fill the role with flair and effectiveness. He's given up one run in his last 15 appearances.
