MLB Game Preview - Baltimore at LA Angels

Thu Jul 25, 2019 10:07 PM EDT

The Angels will host the Baltimore Orioles in a four-game series starting Thursday night, but Los Angeles manager Brad Ausmus and his staff find themselves scrambling to figure out who will be on the mound for those games.

Jose Suarez will start Thursday, the club having been forced to mix and match because of the tragic death of Tyler Skaggs, injuries and poor performance.

Andrew Heaney is on the injured list due to an inflamed shoulder, Matt Harvey was released, and JC Ramirez has struggled in the minors in his effort to return from Tommy John surgery.

Ausmus is left with choosing from a list of young pitchers who normally wouldn't be getting their major league opportunities just yet.

"We're kind of 'to-be-determined,'" Ausmus said. "We have a general idea of what can happen as far as the rotation for the Baltimore series, but some of that is subject to change based on bullpen usage."

Suarez, who is 2-1 with a 5.51 ERA in seven starts, will be making his first start since July 14. He hasn't lasted as long as five innings in any of his past three starts and had not faced Baltimore.

Fortunately for the Angels, they are playing the Orioles, whose 69 losses are the most in the majors. Baltimore, however, has been better on the road this season than at home, where they have lost 36 of 51 games.

Right-hander Tom Eshelman will start for Baltimore, looking for the first win of his major league career. He is 0-2 with a 6.91 ERA in three starts this season, his first in the big leagues.

The 25-year-old is coming off his worst performance since being called up July 1. On Saturday against the Boston Red Sox, Eshelman gave up nine runs (five earned) on six hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings. He also allowed three home runs in that game, and he has yielded five in 14 1/3 major league innings.

Orioles center fielder Anthony Santander had two singles, a triple and a home run in the Saturday game, causing Eshelman to take responsibility for the 17-6 loss.

"We had a guy in here that was a double shy of the cycle, and for that not to be the headline is kind of tough for me," Eshelman said. "For me not to get our offense in the dugout quicker is frustrating on my end of things. I need to learn from what I'm doing, go forward and try to get better."

Pitching is the Orioles' biggest issue, as their 5.56 team ERA is the worst in the majors.

"You can't win in this league unless you pitch," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "When you look at our pitching, obviously it's tough to win with a 6.00 ERA. I'd love to see our pitching numbers improve, love to see our bullpen guys come in and get outs and improve on their numbers."

The Angels won two of three in Baltimore from May 10-12 in the only other series between the teams this season. Los Angeles center fielder Mike Trout hit two home runs and a double while walking three times in that series.

--Field Level Media