Thursday Thread: Royals at Angels

Normally, this is where I'd make a joke about the Royals taking on the Fighting Trouts of Anaheim. But Mike Trout is hurt, so that wouldn't work.

Even though the Angels are 35-34, this isn't that special of a team without Trout. Albert Pujols hits homers and drives in runs. Andrelton Simmons is a really good defender who has been enjoying a nice offensive season. But other than that...meh.

This is a team that the Royals have done well against in recent years...well, aside from last year. Kansas City was 1-6 against Los Angeles last year, but they were 5-1 in 2015 and 6-3 in 2014 if you count the postseason. Also, the Royals swept the Angels in Kansas City this past April.

Tonight, Matt Strahm will make his first career start. He will take on Ricky Nolasco (2-7, 4.81 ERA). There will be runs.

The lineup:

6/15 @Royals lineup at LAA
Merrifield 2B
Bonifacio RF
Cain CF
Hosmer 1B
Perez C
Moustakas 3B
Escobar SS
Moss DH
Gordon LF
Strahm P

— MLB Lineups (@mlblineups) June 15, 2017