Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels Live Coverage, Stats and Updates – June 8, 2024 Gametracker

Much of the Los Angeles Angels’ struggles this season can be blamed on an inconsistent and ineffective bullpen, but the club is hoping the recent promotion of powerhouse right-hander Ben Joyce can provide a boost.

Joyce did not pitch in Friday’s 7-1 loss to the Houston Astros, and the two clubs will meet again Saturday night in the second game of a three-game series in Anaheim, California.

The Angels bullpen has a 4.82 ERA, the second highest in the American League this season. Joyce is a candidate to emerge as a late-inning reliever, given that he throws a four-seam fastball that often reaches 100 mph or more.

Aroldis Chapman holds the record for the fastest pitch recorded in a major league game – 105.8 mph for the Cincinnati Reds in 2010.

At the University of Tennessee, Joyce recorded a 105.5 fastball.

Joyce showed some of that potential last season with the Angels when he hit 104 mph on a pitch, but he also missed three months of the season with an inflamed nerve in his right elbow.

He was a candidate to make the club after spring training, but showed he still struggled with his fastball and began the season at Double-A Rocket City, where he went 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 19 innings. .

His first outing with the big club this season went well, as he pitched a scoreless inning Wednesday in a 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres. Now it’s about maintaining a sense of consistency.

“I just trust my stuff every time I go out there and I don’t get ahead of myself,” Joyce, 23, said. “I just stay on the pitch that I’m on. And I put all my energy into that pitch and try to execute it and then move on to the next one. I think that’s been a big thing, and my overall confidence has gone into my business. I know I can get people out there and I have confidence in that every time I go.

Angels manager Ron Washington noticed Joyce’s improvement.

“I definitely loved his arm (during spring training),” Washington said. “He’s a young kid. At the time, he didn’t really know how to use it. But I think there’s an opportunity now to come forward and stay in the big leagues. It will depend on him.”

Left-hander Tyler Anderson (5-5, 2.37 ERA) will make his 13th start of the season for the Angels on Saturday. He’s coming off four straight starts in which he allowed just one run each, covering 26 2/3 innings.

Anderson is 1-2 with a 6.17 ERA in eight career starts against Houston.

Right-hander Hunter Brown (1-5, 6.18 ERA) will make his 13th appearance (12th start) for the Astros. Brown pitched well against the Angels on May 22, allowing two runs and two hits in six innings, but he was scratched in a 2–1 win at Los Angeles.

Brown has been the unlucky pitcher for the Astros this season, with only one win for his efforts. He pitched three straight quality starts, but went 0-1 with two no-decisions in those games, largely because the offense only totaled six points.

“He hits the zone with his fastball,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He’s getting ahead in the count. … He’s giving us a chance to win. He’s moving in the right direction every start. He continues to get better. That’s what we want to see from him. “

Brown is 0-1 with a 5.23 ERA in two career starts against the Angels.

The Astros will be without right fielder Kyle Tucker on Saturday, who is tied for second in the majors with 19 home runs. He was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shin contusion.

This decision was made retroactive to Tuesday. Tucker hasn’t played since fouling his right leg in the bottom of the third inning Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

–Field level media