Orioles at Angels
After getting swept by the hottest team in the American League, the Los Angeles Angels hope to rebound against the lowly Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a three-game series in Anaheim on Tuesday. The Angels suffered two one-run losses and another by an 11-1 score in dropping all three to the New York Yankees over the weekend.
They've managed seven runs and 23 hits during a four-game losing streak and have dropped nine of 12 following a 13-3 start. "We're not squaring balls up the last 10 days like we did earlier in the season, but we will," manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. "These guys are too good of hitters not to come out of it." Scioscia's lineup could find an opportunity to break out against Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb, who has surrendered an alarming 30 hits in 11 2/3 innings to begin his career with Baltimore. He opposes Nick Tropeano for the Angels, who are 36-22 at home against the Orioles since 2004.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore, FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Alex Cobb (0-3, 13.11 ERA) vs. Angels RH Nick Tropeano (1-2, 4.67)
Cobb lasted a season-high 4 2/3 innings his last time out but continued to struggle, giving up 10 hits for the third straight game and going without a strikeout for the second time in that span. The 30-year-old, who won 12 games with Tampa Bay last year, has only walked three batters but 10 of the 30 hits he's allowed have been for extra bases, including three home runs over his first two road outings. Mike Trout is 7-for-12 with two homers against Cobb, who is 2-2 with a 5.35 ERA in six career starts versus the Angels.
After tossing 6 2/3 scoreless frames in his season debut, Tropeano was reached for nine runs in 10 2/3 innings over his next two starts. The 27-year-old, who missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery, has a 5.03 ERA in 12 career starts at Angel Stadium despite striking out more than a batter per inning. Tropeano allowed one run and struck out eight in six innings in his only prior start against Baltimore in 2016.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Orioles took two of three from the Detroit Tigers over the weekend for their first series victory at home.
2. Baltimore DH Pedro Alvarez slugged four home runs and drove in six over his last three games.
3. Angels RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani (ankle) is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday and to make a start on the mound during the weekend series in Seattle.