Yankees-Angels Series Preview

The Yanks and Halos will play three in Los Angeles Friday-Sunday.  New York was swept in Oakland and the Angels come off a series loss in Baltimore, so both teams are really struggling.  Here is a series preview.

The Angels have been arguably the most disappointing team in baseball the last two seasons.  C.J. Wilson, Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols have all come over with big contracts but the team has struggled mightily.  Los Angeles failed, during this time of purchasing superstar players, to shore-up the pitching and bullpen and it costs them just about every night.

Player to watch:  Mike Trout.  He is considered a modern day Mickey Mantle.  Five tools.  Exciting plays every night.  Hits for average and power and is the face of the franchise in his early 20's.  This guy could win multiple MVP awards before it's over.

Key to the series:  Yankee bats hitting with RISP.  The Yanks went 0-13 3-6 in the order in Game 2 against Oakland and the heart of the order went 0-28 with runners in scoring position in Game 3 in Oakland, which was an 18-inning brutal 3-2 loss.  The Yanks, just like every other team in baseball, have to hit when guys get on.  That is half the battle in winning games.

Pitching match-ups:  Friday:  Andy Pettitte (5-3, 3.82 ERA) vs. C.J. Wilson (4-5, 4.02 ERA).  Saturday:  David Phelps (4-3, 3.90 ERA) vs. Tommy Hanson (3-2, 4.12 ERA).  Sunday:  CC Sabathia (6-5, 4.07 ERA) vs. Jered Weaver (1-2, 3.77 ERA).

Prediction:  Yankees win two of three.  They had better.  The Angels are horrendous and this series will tell us all just how bad the Yanks are slumping.  These games are really toss-ups.  A lot of this series will come down to a big inning or a key play or a big performance from a starting pitcher.

By:  Mike Lindsley, "Mid-Day with Mike," Yankees pre/post game host on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.  Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/mikelsports.