Angels vs Orioles predictions
Looking at the Los Angeles Angels lineup, there’s a lot to keep an eye on for this game. Nolan Schanuel is quietly having one of the more consistent seasons at the plate, and I’m expecting him to stay hot—don’t be surprised if he racks up a couple of hits and does his job getting on base. Taylor Ward’s power cannot be ignored; he’s been seeing the ball well and could absolutely add to his home run tally, especially in a hitter-friendly park like Camden Yards. If there’s a wild card, it might be Zach Neto, who’s shown he can pile up the hits and make things happen on the bases. With Tyler Anderson on the mound, the Angels should be able to keep things competitive as he’s been solid at eating innings and limiting damage when he needs to.
Switching over to the Baltimore Orioles, the bats to watch are definitely Ryan O’Hearn and Adley Rutschman. O’Hearn has been swinging a hot bat lately, and I can see him collecting at least one big RBI hit to push the momentum for the O’s. Adley Rutschman always seems to deliver—his knack for clutch hits, coupled with a patient approach, could be the difference maker, especially with the Angels’ pitching prone to giving up walks. The Orioles have some sneaky depth too, as guys like Colton Cowser and Gunnar Henderson bring pop and speed that’s capable of breaking open a close game. On the mound, I’ll be watching Tomoyuki Sugano in particular. If he can keep the ball down and pitch into the middle innings with minimal damage, Baltimore’s got a great chance to hold the Angels at bay.
When it comes to picking a winner, I’m rolling with the Orioles in this one. Playing at home in Camden Yards gives them a bit of an edge, and with the way their core hitters have been performing, I think Baltimore will ride just enough offense and get a solid outing from Sugano. The Angels have some star power and will make things interesting, but the Orioles’ consistency—especially with O’Hearn and Rutschman leading the way—should prove to be the difference. So, if you’re keeping score, I like the O’s to take Game 2 of this series. How do you see it shaking out?
