Major League Baseball Angels vs. Royals Picks & Predictions for August 13, 2015

Danny Duffy (5-5, 4.19 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (68-46) go up against Jered Weaver (4-8, 4.69 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (60-54) in the second of a four-game series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Lorenzo Cain continued his torrid stretch at the plate with an RBI single among his two hits in the series opener, improving to 14-for-29 with seven RBIs and eight runs scored during his seven-game hitting streak. A Holland wild pitch allowed the runners to move up to 2nd and 3rd with no outs and Angels pinch hitter C.J. Cron came through again by lacing an opposite field double down the right field line tying the game at 5. Manager Ned Yost said Davis is feeling much better and could be used soon.

The victory snapped the Angels’ nine-game losing streak away from home. Erick Aybar’s back injury coupled with lineup changes meant that Pujols had to play third base for the second time this season and only the 12th time since 2002.

RHP Jeremy Guthrie, who had allowed 21 runs (20 earned) on 40 hits in 23 innings in his previous four starts, stymied the Angels on two hits and one run over six innings. It was the first Holland permitted more than three runs in a game since August. 27, 2010, when he was a rookie and that was over 2 1/3 innings. For good measure the Angels also brought in a new pitcher Huston Street to try and close things down. It was the first time since August. 5, 2010, that Holland allowed more than three runs in a game.

“I think it’s definitely a win to build on”. The four runs allowed by Holland were the second-most in his career.

Ranking 12th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.25 per game.

Eric Hosmer launched his 13th home run of the season as the Royals fell to the Angels on Thursday night. Taylor Featherston replaced him. He has been throwing, taking regular batting practice and shagging fly balls during pregame workouts the last couple of weeks.

Royals LF Alex Gordon hopes to go on a rehab assignment “shortly”, although no date has been set. Turning to the pitching staff, the Royals are fifth in the AL in hits allowed with just 8.2 per game.