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Young OFs playing impressively for Angels, Giants
The Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants are wrapping up their three-game series on Sunday, and young outfielders Mickey Moniak and Heliot Ramos have been stealing the spotlight. The Angels have already clinched the first two games, thanks in large part to Moniak’s hot bat, while Ramos has been a standout for the Giants. Both teams are looking to finish strong with more impressive performances from their promising young stars.
Mickey Moniak’s Offensive Surge
Background and Recent Performance
Mickey Moniak, the first overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, has found new life with the Angels. Since being traded to Los Angeles in 2022, Moniak has struggled with consistency, but he’s currently on a seven-game hitting streak. In this series against the Giants, he’s gone 4-for-9 with a home run, a triple, two doubles, three RBIs, and two runs, bumping his average up to .194.
Key Contributions
Moniak has been a game-changer for the Angels. His two doubles and a triple in Friday’s game were key to securing an 8-6 win, and his second-inning homer on Saturday helped the Angels come from behind for a 4-3 victory. His ability to stay cool under pressure has been a big part of his recent success.
Moniak’s Perspective
“Baseball is weird. It’s a tough game,” Moniak said. “At the end of the day, I’ve had success in this game and I’ve had struggles. I think the ones who stay for a while are the ones who know how to handle the ups and the downs.”
Heliot Ramos’ Impressive Run
Consistent Performance
Heliot Ramos, the Giants’ first-round pick in 2017, has been on fire lately. In the current series, Ramos is 5-for-8 with two homers, two doubles, six RBIs, and two runs. Over his last 17 games, he’s hitting .375, showing his ability to consistently come through at the plate.
Manager’s Praise
Giants manager Bob Melvin has been full of praise for Ramos, noting his sustained performance and solid defense. Melvin highlighted that Ramos has been coming through against good pitching and delivering crucial hits. However, Melvin also stressed the need for more support from the rest of the lineup.
Manager’s Insight
“It’s not a week thing or a two-week thing. He’s been doing it for quite a while,” Melvin said of Ramos. “Against good pitching early in the game … homers, big hits, everything. Not only that, he’s playing great defense. Fantastic baseball.”
Pitching Matchup
Kyle Harrison for the Giants
Kyle Harrison (4-3, 3.96 ERA) will be starting for the Giants. The 22-year-old left-hander, who’s from Northern California, has never faced the Angels before. He’s coming off a strong outing against the Houston Astros, where he gave up just one run in 6 1/3 innings.
Ben Joyce for the Angels
Ben Joyce (0-0, 12.27 ERA) will be the opener for the Angels. Joyce has mainly been used in relief and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings against the Giants on Friday. This will be his first start in 16 career appearances.
Team Dynamics
Angels’ Momentum
The Angels are riding high on Moniak’s resurgence and strong offensive performances. Winning the first two games has set them up nicely for a potential series sweep.
Giants’ Challenges
Despite Ramos’ standout play, the Giants need more from their lineup. Melvin pointed out that Ramos has been responsible for all three runs in their latest loss, highlighting the need for better support from the rest of the team.
Conclusion
The series finale between the Angels and Giants is set to be an exciting showdown. Mickey Moniak’s breakout performance has given the Angels a big boost, while the Giants are looking to overcome their offensive struggles and give more support to Heliot Ramos. The performances of starting pitchers Kyle Harrison and Ben Joyce will be key in determining the outcome of this closely contested game.
