2025-09-20 Angels at Rockies Matchup Preview

Starting Pitcher Matchup

Kyle Hendricks is slated to start for the Los Angeles Angels, bringing his repertoire to the challenging environment of Coors Field. Hendricks' ability to command his pitches will be paramount, especially against a Rockies lineup familiar with the nuances of hitting at altitude. On the other side, German Marquez will take the mound for the Colorado Rockies. Marquez's experience in navigating the unique conditions of his home stadium will be a key factor in his performance.

Angels Offensive Outlook

The Los Angeles Angels enter this game with a team batting average on balls in play of .294, indicating they put the ball in play and have had success. Their team weighted on-base average of .320 demonstrates a solid ability to get on base, and their weighted runs created plus of 102 suggests an offense performing slightly above the league average. Against Marquez, the Angels will need to be patient and capitalize on any mistakes. The Angels have had a hard time hitting his breaking balls in previous match-ups, something that will be an adjustment they need to address for success in this game. Identifying patterns in Marquez's pitch selection and adjusting their approach at the plate will be crucial for the Angels to generate scoring opportunities.

Rockies Offensive Outlook

The Colorado Rockies, playing at home, will look to leverage their familiarity with Coors Field. Their team batting average on balls in play sits at .283, slightly below the Angels. Their weighted on-base average of .302 shows that while they have some ability to get on base, they aren't as strong as the Angels in this area. The Rockies' weighted runs created plus of 91 indicates an offense that performs slightly below league average. Against Hendricks, the Rockies will need to focus on driving the ball into the gaps. Hendricks' command-oriented approach means the Rockies hitters will need to be disciplined and make solid contact when they get a pitch they can handle. If Hendricks can get ahead in counts, the Rockies batters will struggle to put together rallies.

Pitching Analysis

Kyle Hendricks relies on deception and pinpoint accuracy rather than overwhelming velocity. His ability to change speeds and locate his pitches effectively is critical to his success. The Rockies' hitters will need to be disciplined and avoid chasing pitches out of the strike zone. The percentage of called plus swinging strikes (CSW) for Hendricks is 25.6%, meaning he is able to generate whiffs and called strikes at a solid rate. German Marquez counters with a mix of velocity and movement. His fastball, paired with a sharp breaking ball, can be effective in keeping hitters off balance. The Angels' hitters will need to be prepared to adjust to his varied repertoire. The percentage of called plus swinging strikes for Marquez is 24.9%, meaning he is slightly below Hendricks, but not by much.

Defensive Comparison

Defensively, both teams will need to be sharp to support their starting pitchers. Any defensive lapses will be magnified, and both starting pitchers work to pitch to contact. The ability to turn double plays and make timely catches in the outfield could be crucial in determining the outcome of this game. With two starting pitchers who don't rack up the strikeouts, both teams need to be prepared for balls in play on every pitch.

Intangibles and Prediction

This game will likely hinge on which team can execute better in key situations. The Angels' slight advantage in weighted runs created plus might give them a slight edge, but the Rockies' home-field advantage cannot be discounted. Given the familiarity that the Rockies batters have with German Marquez and his pitches and tendencies, the Rockies batters will have success putting balls in play. The Rockies are a slightly below-average offensive team so Kyle Hendricks should fare just fine in this game.

Away: Angels 6, Home: Rockies 4