Baltimore Orioles vs Los Angeles Angels: 5 players to watch

The Baltimore Orioles take on the Los Angeles Angels this week. It’s a mismatch on paper, but the Halos’ recent struggles should mean a fair fight.

Fresh off a series win at Camden Yards, the Baltimore Orioles are headed west to take on the Los Angeles Angels, and they have to be feeling good about their chances. While a quick look at the standings might suggest a clear mismatch, the teams have been trending in opposite directions over the past couple of weeks.

The Orioles have been averaging 5 runs a game since last Wednesday, well above their season mark of 3.5. Manny Machado has been raking all year long, and with a little help from his teammates, that production is finally translating to the win column.

The Angels, meanwhile, have dropped 9 of their last 12 games, making them one of the coldest teams in the league. While the Orioles were averaging 5 runs a game, the Angels put up five runs total during their weekend series against the Yankees. It’s been a tough stretch, especially in light of their 13-3 start to the season.

Orioles fans should be careful not to get too excited — the Birds haven’t won back-to-back series since last August — but the levee has to break at some point. In the following slides, read up on five players who could decide the series.