Bud Norris has outstanding career numbers against the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels have some outstanding offensive numbers of their own this season.
To steal a line from my own network, who will own it?
Norris (7-6, 3.96 ERA) hasn't made a big league start since July 9 when he gave up five runs over four innings against the Nationals. He was optioned to Double-A Bowie so he could start during the All-Star break. On Monday he went 4 1/3 innings allowing four hits and three runs and threw 99 pitches for the Baysox.
In four career outings against the Angels, Norris is 3-0 with an ERA of 0.32, giving up just one earned run over 28 innings. He has pitched 13 scoreless innings in two career starts, going 2-0 at Anaheim.
But tonight he faces a Los Angeles team that is 59-38 on the year. The Angels have won seven of eight and 12 of 14 and have a MLB-best 28-10 mark since June 6. Los Angeles is 25-5 in its last 30 home games.
Mike Trout has eight extra-base hits in his last seven games and 31 in his last 40. In 40 games since June 1, Trout is batting .338 with 18 doubles, a triple, 12 homers and 36 RBIs.
Over his last 32 games, Albert Pujols is batting .336 and he has 30 RBIs his last 32 games.
Right-hander Matt Shoemaker (7-2, 4.38 ERA) gets the start for the Angels. He has made 15 appearances on the year, nine as a starter going 6-1 with a 4.15 ERA when he gets the start.
Shoemaker, who has never faced the Orioles, has an ERA of just 0.50 over the first two innings and 9.00 over the third and fourth innings.
Even with two losses in Oakland, the Orioles have won seven of 11, 11 of 16 and 16 of their last 25 games. They are 27-21 on the road.
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