This is the second featured series for
Los Angeles, the first team to come through for a second round. The Angels come into the series with a 17-13 record, tied atop the Bill James Division with the
Wandering House of David. They have won their last 4 games, a series sweep over the
Homestead Grays.
Kansas City has an identical record, 17-13, but trail
Chicago by 1 game in the Cum Posey Division. They split their 4 games with
Memphis, and are struggling a little, only 4-6 over their last 10 games.
Anticipated pitching matchups are (LA first)
Doc Gooden (1-4, 6.06) v.
Andy Pettite (2-2, 4.30);
Gerrit Cole (4-1, 4.04) v.
Frank Castillo (2-2, 2.95);
Brett Anderson (2-3, 3.93) v.
Rube Marquard (2-2, 5.91);
Pud Galvin (1-1, 4.23) v.
Luke Hamlin (2-3, 4.28).
The Cole - Castillo is easily the most anticipated, as both have been quite good so far.
The Angels are led by SS
George Wright (345/398/607) and the OF pair of
Kal Daniels (329/441/579) and
Elmer Valo (337/440/469). Daniels and Valo are a little susceptible to left-handed pitchers. Wright has 6 HRs and
Doug Radar 5, but the team lacks power overall--partially because
Mike Trout has struggled to hit for power, slashing 289/387/404. Radar has been their MVP so far, hitting 333/365/533 with 34 RBIs (which is tied for 2nd in the league).
Both
Chuck Finley (1-0, 3H, 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) and
Nolan Ryan (4.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) have been fantastic out of the bullpen, and are in line for a spot start at some point. Closer
Joe Nathan has been busy, with a record of 2-1 with 3 saves and a hold.
The Monarchs still feel like they are figuring themselves out offensively, but they are a solid ballclub top to bottom, ranked in the top half of the league in almost every category other than HRs (they do lack some in the power department).
Stan Musial leads the way at 381/449/585, but
Boog Powell,
Albert Pujols, and
Rogers Hornsby all have an OPS over .800 and the catcher platoon of
Ted Simmons (356/408/578) and
Salvador Perez (310/322/460) has been very productive. Musial has 5 HRs, with Powell, Pujols, and Perez adding 4 each.