2025-07-13 Diamondbacks at Angels Matchup Preview

Starting Pitcher Matchup

Merrill Kelly takes the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks, bringing a veteran presence to the team. Kelly's repertoire includes a fastball with solid velocity, complemented by a changeup designed to disrupt hitters' timing. His curveball generates considerable movement, providing a third option to keep batters off balance. The Los Angeles Angels counter with Jose Soriano, who features a high-velocity fastball that can be difficult to handle. Soriano mixes in a slider with sharp, late movement, along with a changeup to induce weak contact. The Angels hope Soriano's raw talent will translate into a quality start.

Diamondbacks Hitting Analysis

The Arizona Diamondbacks' offense is led by a seasoned group of hitters with an average age of 29. Their team weighted on-base average is a respectable number indicating their ability to get on base consistently. Facing Jose Soriano, the Diamondbacks hitters will need to focus on making early contact to avoid falling behind in the count. Soriano's fastball is his primary weapon, so Arizona hitters must be ready to adjust to the velocity and look for opportunities to capitalize on his secondary pitches. The Diamondbacks hitters display a team walk percentage that suggests a patient approach at the plate. By demonstrating discipline and recognizing favorable counts, the Diamondbacks can extend innings and put pressure on the Angels' bullpen.

Angels Hitting Analysis

The Los Angeles Angels' offense is a mix of developing talent and experienced players, with an average age of 28. The Angels' team weighted on-base average shows their struggle to consistently get on base. Against Merrill Kelly, the Angels hitters will need to be patient and selective at the plate. Kelly's ability to command multiple pitches means that the Angels must not be overly aggressive, and instead work to get into hitter-friendly counts. Their team walk percentage showcases a lack of patience at the plate. This aggressiveness can sometimes lead to early outs and missed opportunities. The Angels must find a balance between aggression and patience to succeed against Kelly.

Arizona Diamondbacks Team Overview

The Arizona Diamondbacks showcase a team with above average offensive production, marked by a team adjusted on-base plus slugging percentage, which reflects their ability to both get on base and hit for power. Their team defense independent pitching demonstrates a solid performance from the pitching staff. The Diamondbacks have displayed a collective effort in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game. Their team fielding percentage shows a reliable defense, contributing to their overall competitiveness. The Diamondbacks have demonstrated an ability to compete at a high level.

Los Angeles Angels Team Overview

The Los Angeles Angels show a team with below-average offensive production, evidenced by a low team adjusted on-base plus slugging percentage, indicating a struggle to generate runs consistently. The Angels' defense independent pitching shows a need for improvement. Their pitching staff needs to find more consistency to support the offense. The Angels demonstrate a below-average team fielding percentage indicating potential defensive vulnerabilities that can impact their ability to win close games. The team will need to address these areas to improve their overall performance.

Key Matchups and Strategies

The key to this game will be how well the Diamondbacks' hitters can adjust to Jose Soriano's fastball and exploit his secondary pitches. If Arizona can extend innings and force Soriano out of the game early, they will have a significant advantage against the Angels' bullpen. For the Angels, their hitters must find a way to get on base consistently against Merrill Kelly. Working deep counts and capitalizing on any mistakes will be essential for the Angels to generate offense.

Final Thoughts

This game presents a compelling contrast in styles, with the Diamondbacks' experienced lineup facing off against the Angels' young, high-potential starter. While Soriano has the potential to dominate, the Diamondbacks' hitters' patience and discipline should allow them to generate scoring opportunities. Conversely, the Angels' offense will need to find a way to manufacture runs against Kelly's varied repertoire.

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