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Up next: Blue Jays travel to Los Angeles to face Kevin Pillar and the Angels
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Photo credit: © Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Georges
Aug 12, 2024, 13:30 EDTUpdated: Aug 12, 2024, 13:45 EDT
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The Blue Jays (54-64) start a three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels (52-66) on Monday in a battle of teams of teams destined to miss the playoffs in 2024. The Jays are coming off a series loss against the Oakland A’s over the weekend, while the Angels lost two of three against the Nationals.

Nuts and Bolts

Monday, August 12th, 9:38 EST: Bowden Francis (4-3, 5.44 ERA) vs Davis Daniel (1-3, 6.04 ERA)
Tuesday, August 13th, 9:38 EST: Kevin Gausman (10-8, 4.42 ERA) vs Carson Fulmer (0-2, 3.74 ERA)
Wednesday, August 14th, 9:38 EST: Jose Berrios (10-9, 3.97 ERA) vs Tyler Anderson (9-10, 2.99 ERA)

Starting Pitching

The Angels’ starting pitchers have not been good this year, authoring a team ERA of 4.67 on the season, good for 26th best in the Major Leagues.
Davis Daniel makes his 6th start of the year on Monday night, with his results proving to be a mixed bag so far. He’s coming off a start in which he threw 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and a couple of walks.
Former 8th overall pick Carson Fulmer gets the ball on Tuesday night. He’s appeared in 24 games in relief this season but will be making his 6th start of the year. The former Vanderbilt Commodore has had back to back starts (vs NYY, COL) in which he’s allowed two runs.
Lefthander Tyler Anderson gets the ball on Wednesday night, proving all year that he’s been the team’s best pitcher. As the Angels’ only All-Star representative, the 34-year-old has engineered a 2.99 ERA and 1.15 WHIP on the season. He also leads the club’s starting pitchers in strikeouts with 109 and opponent’s batting average (.213).

Bullpen

The Angels bullpen ranks 23rd in the Major Leagues this year with a 4.25 ERA. The team traded closer Carlos Estevez and Luis Garcia at the deadline, which has opened up high-leverage innings for some other relievers still on the squad.
Ben Joyce has now been named the team’s closer, having already converted his first attempt. He certainly seems to have the profile to close, with his electric fastball touching 104 mph. All told on the season, Joyce has a 2.70 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.
Hunter Strickland has been a solid piece for this bullpen this year, leading the club with 53 appearances and authoring a 3.40 ERA and 1.01 WHIP on the season. Former Pirates starter Roansy Contreras has also found new life as a reliever, excelling to the tune of a 1.46 ERA and 0.65 WHIP over the last month.

Hitting

It may come as no surprise that the Angels rank in the bottom third in team OPS this season. Their .686 mark ranks 24th in the Major Leagues, one spot below Washington and one spot above Tampa Bay.
One of the biggest standouts for the team this season has been shortstop Zach Neto. The 23-year-old leads the club in hits (104), doubles (26), home runs (17), RBI (61), and OPS (.793). He’s also chipped in with 21 steals, proving that he’s a true power-speed threat.
Logan O’Hoppe has also been solid behind the plate and at the dish, bopping 16 home runs and placing second among qualified Angels with a .755 OPS.
Of course, we wouldn’t be talking about the Angels if there wasn’t a mention of a disappointing veteran or two. Mike Trout has been held to just 29 games this year, with his recent attempt at a rehab ending before it really got started. Free agent bust Anthony Rendon has also only played in 37 games, as he’ll try to cross the 50-game mark for the first time in five seasons with the team.

Final Verdict

With the Blue Jays and Angels both out of the playoff race, winning games has taken a back seat to give innings and at-bats to the young players that may help each team’s 2025 rosters.

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