2025-06-16 Angels at Yankees Matchup Preview

Starting Pitching Matchup

Jose Soriano will take the mound for the Los Angeles Angels, tasked with containing a powerful New York Yankees lineup. Soriano's effectiveness will hinge on his ability to command his fastball and effectively mix in his secondary pitches. He needs to keep the ball down in the zone and avoid leaving pitches over the heart of the plate, which the Yankees hitters are adept at punishing.

Countering Soriano for the Yankees is Clarke Schmidt, who will aim to leverage his repertoire to keep the Angels' offense at bay. Schmidt's success will depend on his ability to generate weak contact and induce swings and misses. He'll need to vary his pitch selection and keep the Angels hitters guessing to prevent them from getting comfortable at the plate.

Angels Hitting Analysis

The Los Angeles Angels enter this game with an experienced lineup, averaging 28 years of age. Their overall offensive output, as measured by their team's total Wins Above Replacement, sits at 2.8, indicating they have struggled to score a lot of runs. The Angels' hitters will need to find ways to manufacture runs and capitalize on any mistakes made by Schmidt. Their approach will need to be focused, with an emphasis on working deep counts and getting into favorable hitting situations.

Specifically, the Angels need to improve their contact rates against right-handed pitching. If they can accomplish this, and avoid chasing pitches out of the strike zone, they can find themselves in some favorable counts and take the advantage against Schmidt and potentially drive his pitch count up early.

Yankees Hitting Analysis

The New York Yankees boast a formidable offense, reflected in their impressive 16.3 Wins Above Replacement. Their lineup is filled with proven hitters, averaging 30 years of age, capable of generating runs in bunches. The Yankees' approach is predicated on power and patience, with hitters willing to work counts and wait for pitches they can drive.

Soriano will need to be particularly careful with his pitch location, as the Yankees excel at punishing mistakes. He must also be mindful of the Yankees' ability to adjust mid-at-bat. If he falls into predictable patterns, they are likely to make him pay. A successful outing for Soriano will require him to stay unpredictable and execute his pitches with precision.

Key Matchup to Watch

The pivotal matchup will be between the Angels' hitters and Clarke Schmidt. If the Angels can force Schmidt to labor through his innings and get into the Yankees' bullpen early, they will increase their chances of success. On the other side, Soriano's ability to navigate the Yankees' lineup will be crucial. Limiting the damage early in the game will be paramount to keeping the Angels within striking distance.

The ability of the Angels to get runners on base will be key. The New York infield is one of the best in baseball, so the team will have to manufacture runs through stolen bases and hit and runs. Soriano will have to keep runners off base by painting the corners and by getting quick outs, otherwise, he will tire quickly.

Game Prediction

The Yankees' potent offense and Schmidt's solid pitching give them a slight edge in this contest. Look for the Yankees to capitalize on their opportunities and secure a victory at home.

Angels 3 Yankees 5