The Los Angeles Angels will try to piece together another starting lineup when they open a three-game series against the host Atlanta Braves on Monday night.
Los Angeles is without three-time American League MVP Mike Trout (fractured left hamate bone), fellow outfielder Taylor Ward (facial fractures) and infielders Anthony Rendon (bruised left leg), Zach Neto (back) and Brandon Drury (left shoulder contusion).
The Angels have still managed to win 10 of 15 games since the All-Star break to stay in the hunt for a wild-card berth, but they’ll be up against an Atlanta team that’s coming off a three-game sweep of the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. The Braves clubbed 11 home runs in the series.
“We really need to put ourselves in the right situation, so when (the injured players) do come back, we can really make a run for it, for sure,” said Angels outfielder Hunter Renfroe, who drove in all three runs in a 3-2 win in 10 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday to prevent Los Angeles from getting swept.
Los Angeles will need to be more productive with runners in scoring position against the Braves, however.
The Angels were 0-for-27 in the series before Renfroe blasted a two-run homer in the 10th inning on Sunday to give them a 3-1 lead.
The Braves, meanwhile, batted .406 as a team in the three wins against the Brewers.
Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson, who blasted two home runs and drove in five in Sunday’s 8-6 win, said the Braves are keeping things simple.
“Just continue to do our daily work,” he said. “Approach each day as its own and keep that mentality.”
The Angels plan to start right-hander Griffin Canning in the series opener.
Canning (6-4, 4.46 ERA) has 20 strikeouts in his past two starts, which cover 10 2/3 innings. He allowed just two runs in each outing, but he didn’t receive a decision in either game. The Angels won both in extra innings.
Canning was denied a victory in his most recent start last Tuesday when the Angels’ bullpen and defense gave up four unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth against the Detroit Tigers before Los Angeles won 7-6 in the 10th.
“Doesn’t matter if it’s pretty or ugly. We got the win,” Canning said.
Canning hasn’t faced Atlanta before.
The Braves plan to counter with veteran right-hander Charlie Morton.
Morton (10-8, 3.57) has lost his past two starts after winning five in a row.
He’s coming off his shortest outing of the season, lasting just 3 2/3 innings against the Boston Red Sox last Tuesday, when he surrendered four runs, six hits and five walks in the 7-1 loss.
The Braves turned the only triple play of the season while Morton was in the game, but that was the lone highlight.
“They weren’t really chasing anything. I wasn’t getting a lot of swing and miss, five walks,” Morton said. “Just a bad outing.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker said Morton’s curveball wasn’t moving the way it normally does.
“Charlie needs his breaking ball to be real effective, and he didn’t have a really good one (against the Red Sox), but that happens,” Snitker said.
Morton is 4-1 with a 3.83 ERA in 10 career starts against the Angels.
–Field Level Media
