Baltimore Orioles series preview vs the Los Angeles Angels

After a series win in Arizona against the D-Backs to open up September, the Orioles head further west to California, taking on the Los Angeles Angels for three games as they conclude their west coast schedule for 2023.

Orioles wrap up west coast trip with series against Angels

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

The Angels enter this series with just three wins in their last 10 games as they continue quite a tailspin since the trade deadline. They've lost three straight games, being swept over the weekend by the Oakland Athletics. Yes, the Oakland Athletics. They are 13 1/2 games back of the AL West lead and 12 1/2 back of the final wild card spot and enter this series with a -58 run differential.

SEASON SERIES

The Orioles and Angels last played at Camden Yards from May 15-18, with the four game series being split. The Angels won game one 9-5 and game four 6-5, while the Orioles won game two 7-3 and game three 3-1. The winner of this series will also win the season series.

PITCHING PROBABLES

Monday, 9/4: Grayson Rodriguez vs Kenny Rosenberg

It will be the rookie Rodriguez who starts the series opener for the Orioles. He enters what would be his 19th start of the season with a 5.03 ERA, 4.43 FIP, and 1.355 WHIP over 93 innings, averaging 3.4 walks per nine and 9.4 strikeouts per nine.

Rodriguez's last start was another strong start as he continues to bounce back big time. He pitched six shutout innings against the Chicago White Sox, striking out six hitters. He faced the Angels in May, allowing eight runs on nine hits and 3 walks in just 3 1/3 innings. This start should have a better result.

The Angels will start the lefty Rosenberg opposite Rodriguez. Rosenberg has appeared in two games this season, both coming out of the bullpen. He'll make his first start of the season with five runs in seven innings to his name, allowing nine hits and seven walks while striking out seven hitters.

Tuesday, 9/5: Dean Kremer vs Reid Detmers

Kremer, who has been on a nice little roll lately, starts the middle game. He has a 4.20 ERA, 4.69 FIP, and 1.280 WHIP this season, averaging 2.6 walks per nine and eight strikeouts per nine in 150 innings and 27 starts.

Facing the Angels in May, Kremer allowed three runs on six hits and no walks in 5 2/3 innings, striking out four hitters. In his last start, he held the White Sox to one run on six hits, striking out five hitters in six innings pitched.

Another lefty in Detmers will start the middle game for the Angels. The former first round pick has a 5.01 ERA, 4.41 FIP, and 1.395 WHIP in 24 starts, averaging 1.3 home runs per nine, 3.8 walks per nine, and 10.3 strikeouts per nine in 124 innings.

Wednesday, 9/6: Kyle Gibson vs Patrick Sandoval

The veteran Gibson starts the series finale for the Orioles. He had a rough August, allowing 26 runs in five starts, all earned runs. That has seen his ERA jump to 5.15, his FIP to 4.03, and his WHIP to 1.340, averaging 7.6 strikeouts per nine and 1.1 home runs per nine in 162 2/3 innings and 28 starts.

Gibson's last start saw him allow seven runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings against the White Sox in the series finale. He has faced the Angels 14 times in his career, posting a 5.94 ERA and 1.461 WHIP, allowing 10 home runs and walking 32 hitters in 77 1/3 innings against the Angels.

The Angels will start a trio of lefties, with Sandoval starting the series finale. Sandoval enters this start with a 4.19 ERA, 4.08 FIP, and 1.453 WHIP over 126 2/3 innings. He's averaging eight strikeouts per nine and a rather high 4.4 walks per nine over 24 starts this season.

This series is a perfect chance for the Orioles to end their west coast slate in 2023 on a high note, as well as a chance to win their sixth straight series ahead of a divisional matchup over the weekend. Let's play some baseball!