No Angels In The Bullpen: Blue Jays-Angels Preview

Coming off a split series against Cleveland, the Jays start a West Coast road trip, with their first stop being a two-game set in L.A.

PITCHING MATCHUPS

Wednesday

TOR: Roy Halladay

LAA: Anthony Ortega

Thursday

TOR: Robert Ray

LAA: Jered Weaver

WHY THE JAYS WILL WIN

1. Bad Angels bullpen. The bullpen for the Angels has been an Achilles' heel for the team, with some issues in players such as Scot Shields (9.31 ERA), Jason Bulger (11.25 ERA), closer Brian Fuentes (6.52 ERA), and others.

2. Ortega's inexperience. After two starts, Anthony Ortega has a 5.56 ERA, and with a hitting team such as the Jays, Toronto has a great chance.

3. Can Jered Weaver avoid the long ball? Jered Weaver leads the Angels in giving up the gopher-ball, 5 HRs so far this year. However, he has a 3.13 ERA, and leads in strikeouts on the team.

4. Toronto can hit! Toronto still leads the lead in hitting, with a .295 AVG. Double plays need to be cut down, though.

5. Weak Angels infield defense. The Angels are currently near the bottom of the league, at a .980 fielding percentage. Chone Figgins leads in errors, along with Bobby Abreu and Maicer Izturis.

WHY THE ANGELS WILL WIN

1. They can hit. Angels—.285 Batting AVG.

2. They can run. Angels—32 SB

3. Toronto's tired bullpen. After Carlson, League, Frasor, and Camp combined to give up 10 runs in the last two games, the question is: Is the bullpen really fatigued?

PROJECTION

With Halladay on the mound, a series split is likely. However, if Robert Ray is strong in his start, Toronto could sweep.