Week ahead for Angels: Kicking off summer with nine-game homestand
The week ahead
Summer is officially upon us and the Angels are returning home for a nine-game homestand. The return to the Big A will begin with a three-game set against the first place Astros, starting on Monday on FOX Sports West. The series finale on Wednesday will be a 12:35pm start -- the first such midweek start time for the Angels at home this season. The club will have its third and final off day of the month on Thursday before opening up a weekend series with the Mariners on Friday. Saturday's nationally televised game on FOX begins at 4:15pm. It will also be Movie Night at the Big A. Following the game there will be a screening of 'Finding Nemo' and fans in attendance will have the opportunity to watch the film from the outfield grass.
The week behind
It wasn't the best of weeks for the Angels. The team split the four-game home-and-home series with the Diamondbacks with each team taking a game on the opponent's home field. While the Warriors celebrated their NBA championship with a parade early Friday, it was the Angels doing the celebrating on Friday night in The Town. The Halos overcame a five-run deficit to take the series opener from the A's, 12-7. That would be the only game they'd win in The Bay this weekend, however, as Oakland took the final two games of the series.
Record and standings
The Angels enter Monday 35-35 on the year and in third place in the American League West. The Angels trail the second place Rangers by two games and the division leading Astros by 5.5.
Thumb's up
#FathersDay gallery: The #Angels share dad's best advice http://t.co/AbTpxC5OSA via @jillpainter #MLB pic.twitter.com/i7lYMV2eTw
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) June 20, 2015
While the average isn't where it needs to be and is nearly 40 points less than the .275 he's hit for his career, David Freese's home run numbers are up. In the Angels 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks last Tuesday, Freese belted his 10th homer of the season. That matches his total for all of 2014. His next home run will be the most he's hit in a season since his 20 home run 2012 campaign.
Thumb's down
After starting the season dropping his first four decisions, Angels starter Jered Weaver won four straight decisions to move to 4-4 on the season. Since that time, Weaver has lost four in a row, capped by Saturday's 4-1 loss in Oakland. On Sunday, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left hip inflammation.
Player to watch
The Angels starting third baseman. Will it be Kyle Kubitza? Will it be Freese? The two alternated during the weekend series in Oakland. It's not certain how long that will continue but Angels manager Mike Scioscia has noted the importance of getting Kubitza not sitting while he's on the 25-man roster.
Stat to watch
The Angels have dropped four of their last six to the Astros this season and are just 3-4 against Houston in 2015. The Halos have fared better against the Mariners winning four of six on the season.
