MLB Predictions: Colorado Rockies Vs Los Angeles Angels

Mar 6, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Kendrick (38) on the mound in the first inning during a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

With the two game series being held in an American League park, the DH kicks into play.  The powerful Rockie bats, which have really not been the problem, get an extra four plate appearances to compensate for what has been the expected pitching problems. 

That last statement has in some way, shape or form been written every time since interleague play started.  The Rockies will win both games versus the Angels. **My record in series predictions is 8-1-1**

The Colorado Rockies are 0-for-May.  I know the losing streak is longer than that but…

The Los Angeles Angels are 4-6 in May. The Angels lost their first 4 games of the month (3 to the Giants, 1 to Seattle), then beat the Mariners twice, then split a four game series with the surprising NL West leading Houston Astros.

On the season the Rockies have 5 regular starting bats batting over .300:

• DJ LeMahieu .348 (4 for 23 in May)
• Nick Hundley .342 (6 for 12 in May)
• Troy Tulowitzki .307 (7 for 23 in May)
• Corey Dickerson .302 (4 for 20 in May)
• Charlie Blackmon .300 (8 for 24 in May)

On the season the Angels have 1 regular starting bat batting over .300:

• Mike Trout .307 (10 for 38 in May)

Reading that one wonders why the Rockies are in the middle of sucksville and the Angels are still legit threats to win the NL West.

The answer is pitching.

Rockies pitching is in the bottom four of the following categories:

• ERA (5.47 versus LAA 3.66)
•  Runs against (160 versus LAA 121)
• Earned runs against (148 versus LAA 115)
• Walks issued (109 versus LAA 91)

BUT THERE IS A GLIMMER OF HOPE, as the Angels pitching staff are the only group that have hit more batters (18) than the Rockies (16).

ALSO, the Angels pitching staff have allowed more homeruns (34) than the Rockies pitching staff (27).

To give that GLIMMER OF HOPE some extra polish, the small ball categories of stealing bases (LAA 11, Rox 8) and sacrifice bunts (both with 6) are pretty much evenly ignored by both teams.

YES, I am suggesting that for the first time in over a month that Kyle Kendrick will put up a good showing.  YES, I am suggesting Jordan Lyles has another 7 inning game in him just like his previous appearance.

Long story short:  The Rockies have a team batting average of .274 while the Angels bat .228.  The Rockies pitching staff has been hit at a .291 batting average while the Angels batting staff has been hit at a .234 clip.

I believe the Rockies with the Pitcher out of the batting order being replaced with a designated hitter is more of positive than folks realize. Enough of a positive to win two games in Anaheim.

Then again, maybe I have shampoo in my eyes.