Opposite dugout: Resurgent Angels hold second AL wild card

Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season)

Record: 62-59

Last 10 games: 7-3

Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.340/.466/.679 with 23 HR, 55 RBIs), DH Albert Pujols (17 HR, 72 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.296, 12 HR, 55 RBIs, 17 SB), LF Cameron Maybin (25 SB), RHP Parker Bridwell (7-1, 2.88 ERA), RHP Cam Bedrosian (6 saves, 3.54 ERA)

Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1

Pitching probables:

Aug. 18: LHP Andrew Heaney vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Aug. 19: RHP J.C. Ramirez vs. TBA, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Aug. 20: RHP Parker Bridwell vs. TBA, 1:35 p.m., MASN

Inside the Angels:

Back at the end of May, when center fielder Mike Trout sustained a thumb injury that shelved him for six weeks and their rotation was in total disarray, the Angels were written off by a lot of observers. Well, surprise - they currently hold the second American League wild card, with a half-game lead over the Royals. It'll take a miracle (not to mention an epic meltdown) for them to catch the Astros in the AL West, but manager Mike Scioscia has pieced things together, Trout is back and raking, and the Angels are in contention for the postseason. Winning seven of their last eight games hasn't hurt the cause.

Since coming off the disabeld list after the All-Star break, Trout has been his usual productive self, slashing .343/.473/.581 with seven homers and 19 RBIs, and taking some of the pressure off the rest of the lineup. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons, known for his glovework when he was in the National League, has been potent on offense, a .296 average with a surprising 12 homers. Left fielder Cameron Maybin is back after a stint on the DL with a leg problem, and has 25 stolen bases. Even though they rely on Trout to power their offense, the Angels are not a one-man wrecking crew. Designated hitter Albert Pujols surpassed 600 homers earlier this season and has 17 homers and 72 RBIs in 2017. Third baseman Luis Valbuena, who has gone deep 13 times, has been an Oriole-killer, with seven lifetime longballs in 28 games against the Birds. First baseman C.J. Cron has been hot of late, hitting five homers in his past 15 games.

Lefty Andrew Heaney, once the Angels' top pitching prospect, comes off the DL following Tommy John surgery to make his first start since April 5, 2016 in the series opener. He's made one career start against the Orioles, lasting 5 2/3 innings without factoring into the decision on Aug. 7, 2015 in Anaheim. Righty J.C. Ramirez gets the call on Saturday, and he's been a boom to an unsettled starting five, posting a 10-10 record with a 4.26 ERA in 26 games (23 starts). The journeyman, on his fifth major league club, has worked at least six innings on six of his past seven starts. In three career games (one start) versus the Orioles, he's posted a 7.27 ERA. The O's know all about Sunday's starter, righty Parker Bridwell, who was traded from Baltimore to L.A. for cash or a player to be named on April 17. In 12 games (11 starts) for the Angels, he's 7-1 with a 2.88 ERA, and he's won his past five decisions, including a victory over his former club in Anaheim on Aug. 8.

Earlier this season, former Orioles starter Bud Norris was closing games for the Angels, recording 18 saves in 22 chances with a 4.70 ERA. Of late, righty Cam Bedrosian has been handling the ninth inning, saving six of eight games with a 3.54 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.