The Atlanta Braves (56-38) will host the Los Angeles Angels (39-53) on Friday in the first game of a three-game series. These two teams have been headed in opposite directions. On May 31, the Braves were 23-27, and the Angeles were 27-23 overall. Since then, the Braves have gone an MLB best 33-12, and the Angels are an MLB worst 12-30.
These two franchises have not played each other since 2017.
The Los Angeles Angels have two of the best players in baseball in Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, which helped them get off to a strong start, but things have gone downhill since. Los Angeles started the season 27-17, but a 14-game losing streak then changed the course. The Angels are 20.5 games out of first and fourth in the AL West. As the trade deadline approaches, this roster that is not built to be a seller is nowhere close to contention.
This year's Best Athlete, Men's Sports: Shohei Ohtani ???? @ESPYS pic.twitter.com/apv15XRsAw
— ESPN (@espn) July 21, 2022
The Angels are 25th averaging just under four runs per game. Mike Trout leads the team with 24 home runs and is second with 51 RBI, behind Shohei Ohtani with 56 RBI to go along with 19 home runs. Ohtani will also get the start on Friday. In 15 starts this season, the reigning AL MVP is 9-4 with a 2.38 ERA and .199 opponents batting average. On the road, he is 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA in seven starts. The bullpen for the Angels is 20th with a 4.08 ERA.