Angels’ Weaver shoots to silence Brew Crew
Some things change, others stay the same. That’s become a bit of a rallying cry for Jered Weaver.
Tonight, the venerable anchor of the Angels’ rotation will aim to capture his first four decisions for the first time since opening 5-0 four years ago. He’ll have to muzzle Milwaukee in the opener of a three-game interleague set, with a 7:20 p.m. first pitch at Miller Park.
Oddsmakers remain unconvinced of the veteran hurler’s viability in such a spot. Online sports book BetDSI gives the woebegone home team odds of -121 to pull through, whereas Los Angeles represents a +111 underdog. The over/under total sits at nine runs.
While Weaver’s velocity abandoned several seasons ago, the California native has figured out how to flourish with a bigger toolbox. Mixing speeds and location, the righty’s perhaps the primary reason why the Angels (12-13) maintain relevance in the American League West. None of Mike Scioscia’s complementary starters can claim so much as a pair of victories so far.
The skipper certainly hopes for his heavy hitters, at least, to find traction vs. the Brew Crew. Los Angeles had scored just four times while going 2 for 15 with runners in scoring position in two straight losses at Texas before erupting in yesterday’s 9-6 win. Albert Pujols remains saddled with a .179 batting average, though, and Mike Trout’s producing at an extremely ordinary .286 clip.
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Luckily for the Halos, the Brewers (9-15) aren’t exactly faring better. Among regulars, only Ryan Braun (.349 with five homers and 20 RBIs) carries an in-excess-of-.300 mark. We already know about the MLB-worst 5.61 ERA, too, so bank on Weaver’s marvelous renaissance to continue.
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