Baltimore Orioles: Potentially Troubling Series with L.A. Angels on Tap

The second-place Baltimore Orioles (43-37) have been one of the most surprising teams around the major leagues this season. However, as of late, their starting pitching and offense have really taken a plunge, and they have struggled to keep pace with the first-place New York Yankees.

The Birds' next series is not any easier, as they head out to Anaheim to square off against the Los Angeles Angels (45-36). So far this season (and historically), they have not treated the Orioles very well, not to mention the Angels are one of the hottest teams in baseball and are on a mission this year.

The Angels got off to a slow start, and the pressure was on Albert Pujols to deliver his first home run with his new team. It finally happened and loosened the grip the media had around the Angels' throats. They are a team to be reckoned with, and the Birds could have a tough time this weekend.

Here's why.

2012 Versus the Angels

The Halos won the first two games of the opening series between these two cross-country rivals, and the Birds rebounded with a strong 3-2 win to salvage one game of the three-game set.

This season, the Angels only made one visit to the Yards, and they landed in Baltimore at the perfect time; the Birds were (and still are) in the midst of a downward spiral, while the Halos were (and still are) going in the other direction.

Los Angeles swept a short, two-game series June 26-27 and really dominated the Orioles. The first game was close, and the Birds hung in as they lost 7-3.

However, Game 2 was another story. The Halos put up a season-high 13 runs on the board, and Jared Weaver only allowed one earned run in his ninth win of the year.

The combination of the Orioles' woes and the Angels' push to regain lost ground in the West is not a good one for the Birds. Historically, they have always struggled against L.A.

Historic Struggles Against the Halos

Over the last five seasons, the Birds own a dismal 18-31 record in head-to-head contests with the Angels. It doesn't matter which venue they find themselves in, either; the Orioles are 10-16 at Camden Yards and just 8-15 out West.

These two teams clash at 10:05 p.m. July 5 in Anaheim, where the Birds always seem to struggle.

Other than their masterful 2010 sweep of the season series (six games), the Orioles have won no more than three games in one season. The trend looks like it will most likely continue this year, unless Baltimore can find a way to outplay the Halos.

The Orioles need to play the Angels tough because they are the rivals for the American League Wild Card. The Rangers most likely have the West in hand, but the squad from L.A. is putting together an impressive run and could be possible contenders for the top spot in the AL under Texas and New York.

This is the last series of the year featuring these two teams, and the only way the Birds can win the season series is if they complete the four-game sweep.

Considering the Angels just swept the Orioles and basically dominated both games, there is a small chance that will actually happen.

But that being said, the Orioles still need to rack up as many wins as they can. The last two games against the Mariners they have looked strong and played better. The question is whether they can carry it over with them to Anaheim.

On June 6, L.A. sported just a 29-29 record and had failed to live up to expectations. Since then, the Angels have won 16 of 23 games and climbed to second place in the West. They have proved they are contenders, especially with the awakening of Pujols.

Arrieta and His Woes

Jake Arrieta (3-9, 5.81 ERA) will take the hill for the Birds in Game 1 of this series on July 5. In his career, he is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 16.2 innings against the Angels.

Over his last 10 outings, Arrieta is just 1-6, and his ERA has risen from 5.21 to 5.81. He has surrendered five or more earned runs on four different occasions and has lost control of his pitches.

Then again, Arrieta comes out and tosses a couple of strong games in the midst of his downward spiral. He allowed just two earned runs combined in 13.0 innings against the Nationals and the Pirates over that stretch.

Consistency has been his problem this season, and there is no telling which Arrieta will show up at the ballpark.

Red-Hot Angels

The Halos will send Garrett Richards to the rubber (2-1, 2.81 ERA) for Game 1. For his career, he features a 1-1 record with a 3.79 ERA in 19.0 innings against the Birds.

One reason the Halos have turned their season around is because their power hitters have flipped on the switch.

Mark Trumbo smashed nine home runs and drove in 27 RBI over just 26 games in June. Torii Hunter delivered strong numbers in June as well; he batted .319 with five home runs and 17 RBI over 24 contests. Pujols added four home runs and 19 RBI while batting .326 in June.

This series is going to be very tough for the Birds, and it's definitely one of the most important in the near future. They are playing better as of late, taking two of three from the Mariners, but the Angels are a much better team than Seattle.

Check out the action Thursday night if you're up late; it doesn't start until 10:05 p.m. since they're playing out West.

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