Ervin Santana goes for his third straight complete game in Sunday afternoon's series finale in Anaheim as the Angels battle the Mariners. Seattle won Saturday night 5-1 to even the series and snap an eight-game home winning streak by the Halos over the Mariners. King Felix Hernandez starts for Seattle, making Sunday a royal matchup.
Pitcher | ERA | FIP | xFIP | fWAR |
Hernandez | 3.36 | 3.17 | 3.22 | 3.7 |
Santana | 3.32 | 3.64 | 3.61 | 2.7 |
It's reasonable to give the edge to Hernandez in today's matchup, but the fact that Santana's numbers are at least in the neighborhood of the reigning Cy Young winner bodes well for the Angels. Having Santana slot in third behind Jered Weaver and Dan Haren makes the Angels a dangerous playoff team. Now they just have to get there, as they begin Sunday a game behind Texas in the American League West.
Santana has given up three runs or less in each of his last nine starts, and during that span he is 4-2 with a 1.90 ERA. He has 13 walks and 56 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings in that time.
Alberto Callaspo has hit .328/.427/.406 since the All-Star break for the Angels. Mark Trumbo has 21 RBI in his last 21 games, in his continuing quest to have a productive season with a .300 OBP. Since the break Trumbo is hitting .260/.284/.506 and on the season is hitting .260/.301/.488.
The Angels have won six straight home series and are 12-1-1 in their last 14 series overall.
Sunday's 12:35 p.m. game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more news and information on the Angels, or on today's game, be sure to read Halos Heaven.