La Angels Angels vs Houston Astros Picks and Predictions June 8th 2024

Angels’ Hard-Throwing Ben Joyce Ready for Chance Against Astros

The Los Angeles Angels have confronted huge battles this season, especially with a conflicting and incapable warm up area. However, the team’s relief staff has a glimmer of hope thanks to Ben Joyce’s recent promotion. Joyce is a hard-throwing right-hander.

Joyce’s Potential Impact

Joyce didn’t pitch in Friday’s 7-1 loss to the Houston Astros, but the two clubs will meet again Saturday night in the second game of their three-game series in Anaheim, California. The Angels’ bullpen currently holds a 4.82 ERA, the second highest in the American League. Joyce, known for his blazing fastball that often reaches or exceeds 100 mph, is seen as a potential key player in late-innings relief.

Joyce’s Background and Fastball Command

With his 105.8 mph contribute for the Cincinnati Reds 2010, Aroldis Chapman holds the record for the quickest contribute at any point recorded a significant major league game. During her time at the University of Tennessee, Joyce’s fastball was measured at 105.5 mph. With the Holy Messengers, Joyce reached 104 mph last season, but he missed three months due to a triggered nerve in his right elbow. Joyce was a contender for the significant association list out of spring preparing, yet his order issues sent him to Twofold A Rocket City, where he had 34 strikeouts in 19 innings and a 4.26 procured run normal.

In his first outing with the Angels this season, Joyce threw a scoreless inning in a 3-2 win against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. His goal now is to maintain consistency.

“I’ve just been trusting my stuff every time I go out there and not getting ahead of myself,” Joyce, 23, said. “Just staying with the pitch that I’m on. And putting my full energy into that one pitch and trying to execute that pitch and then moving on to the next one. I think it’s been a big thing, and my overall confidence has gone up in my stuff. I know that I can get people out, and trust that every time I go out there.”

Angels manager Ron Washington has taken note of Joyce’s improvement.

“I certainly loved his arm (in spring training),” Washington said. “He’s a young kid. At the time, he didn’t really know how to use it. But I think there’s now an opportunity to come up and stay in the big leagues. It’ll be up to him.”

Pitching Matchup: Tyler Anderson vs. Hunter Brown

On Saturday, the Angels’ left-hander Tyler Anderson will make his 13th start of the season, going 5-5 with a 2.37 earned run average. In each of his last four starts, Anderson has pitched 26 1/3 innings and only allowed one run. Notwithstanding, his profession numbers against the Astros are less noteworthy, with a 1-2 record and a 6.17 Time in eight beginnings.

Right-hander Hunter Brown, who is 1-5 with a 6.18 earned run average, will make his 13th appearance (and 12th start) for the Astros. Brown pitched well against the Holy messengers on May 22, surrendering two runs and two hits in six innings, yet was labeled with the misfortune in a 2-1 Angels triumph. Brown has been a lucky pitcher despite his strong performances; despite making three quality starts in a row, he has only managed one win.

“He’s pounding the zone with his fastball,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He’s getting ahead in the count. … He’s giving us a chance to win. He’s moving in the right direction each start. He continues to get better. That’s what we want to see out of him.”

Astros’ Lineup Changes

The Astros will be without right defender Kyle Exhaust, who is tied for second in the majors with 19 homers. Due to a right shin contusion, Tucker was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. Tucker has not played since he was hit in the leg by a pitch in the third inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Saturday’s matchup promises to be crucial for both teams as the Angels try to stabilize their bullpen and the Astros try to continue their momentum without a key player. Joyce’s performance could be crucial as he tries to become the Angels’ reliable late-inning option. The outcome could have a big effect on how both teams move through the challenges of the season.