Opposite dugout: Angels looking to make playoffs with healthy Trout

Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season)

Record: 55-57

Last 10 games: 6-4

Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.343/.463/.703), DH Albert Pujols (17 HRs, 68 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.301/.353/.455), RHP Parker Bridwell (3.20 ERA), RHP Bud Norris (4.09 ERA, 18 saves)

Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-4 in 2016)

Pitching probables:

Aug. 7: RHP Dylan Bundy vs. RHP JC Ramirez, 10:07 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 8: RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Parker Bridwell, 10:07 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 9: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. RHP Troy Scribner, 3:37 p.m., MASN

Inside the Angels:

Including this season, the Angels have enjoyed the talents of Mike Trout for six full seasons. In that time, the Angels have made just one playoff appearance, in 2014, where they were swept out of the American League Division Series. Since the Angels are just 2 1/2 games back in the wild card race, it could be a second chance for Los Angeles to use their once-in-a-generation talent to make the postseason.

It seems almost impossible to think about, but Trout has gotten even better than he was in 2016. His .343/.463/.703 slashline is the best of his career in all three categories. Due to the amount of games he missed with a thumb injury, Trout does not qualify among the league leaders in any category. However, amongst those players with at least 250 plate appearances, Trout leads the league in both on-base percentage and slugging percentage. While Trout continues to be otherworldly, he is not the only Angel who has taken a major stride from 2016. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons has gone from being a glove-first player with minimal power to someone who has remained an elite defender while improving his offense. Much like Trout, Simmons is enjoying career bests in batting average (.301), on-base percentage (.355) and slugging percentage (.456). Simmons has evolved from a right-handed Ozzie Smith to an extremely solid hitter. Besides the 1-2 punch of Trout and Simmons, the Angels offense is pretty dreadful. Their .390 team slugging percentage sits dead last in the league, and their batting average and on-base percentage is not much more impressive. Part of this lack of offense can be explained by the influence of Father Time: Albert Pujols, at age 37, is having the worst season of his career. The once imposing slugger is now slugging a paltry .382.

Monday night, the series opens with the right-handed JC Ramirez. After spending his first three seasons as a reliever, the Angels have successfully converted him to a starter in 2017. Ramirez has been excellent in his past three starts, enjoying a 1.31 ERA over that span. Tuesday brings a familiar face for Orioles fans: Parker Bridwell. Bridwell was given a whopping 3 1/3 innings as an Oriole before they decided to trade him to the Angels. Now with a chance to regularly pitch, Bridwell is making the most of it, with a 3.20 ERA. Bridwell pitched to a splendid 1.69 ERA in July, but his first August outing was rough, allowing four runs in five innings against the Phillies. Wrapping up the series, rookie Troy Scribner will make his second career start. Scribner's first start lasted four innings, allowing two earned runs. Before being called up, he had a 4.16 ERA with Triple-A Salt Lake City.

The Angels closer is another name familiar to O's fans: Bud Norris. The Angels have converted Norris to a closer with pretty solid results, as Norris is 18-for-20 on saves. While Norris has done a good job avoiding blown saves, his ERA is still a mediocre 4.09. Blake Parker is the Angels' top setup man. He enjoys a 2.57 ERA but allowed a home run Sunday against Oakland.