Opposite dugout: Trout having another MVP-type season for Angels

Manager: Mike Scioscia (17^th season)

Record: 36-50

Last 10 games: 4-6

Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.321 average, 18 HR, 56 RBIs); 3B Yunel Escobar (.327 average, 99 hits); RF Kole Calhoun (.284 average; 46 RBIs, 93 hits); SP Hector Santiago (6-4, 4.58 ERA); RP Huston Street (3-1, 7 saves).

Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2

Pitching probables:

July 8: RHP Matt Shoemaker vs. TBA, 7:05 p.m., MASN2
July 9: RHP Nick Tropeano vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo, 4:05 p.m., MASN
July 10: RHP Tim Lincecum vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 1:35 p.m., MASN2

Inside the Angels:

The series between the Angels and Orioles isn't particularly appealing, at least on paper. The Orioles are trying to maintain their lead in the American League East but are saddled with plenty of pitching woes, while the Angels find themselves in the midst of back-to-back disappointing campaigns. Despite Thursday's win over the Rays, the Angels are 14 games under .500 and in last place in the AL West.

That isn't to say this weekend's series doesn't have any reasons to tune in. For one, fans who enjoy watching the game's young superstars will get a double treat as Orioles third baseman Manny Machado and Angels center fielder Mike Trout lead their teams into the final series before the All-Star break. The dynamic duo won't matchup against each other, however, but getting to see two of baseball's best players in the same ballpark is always exciting.

Trout, of course, is the heart and soul of the Angels. He's off to another stellar season, hitting .321 with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs. If he continues on this pace, it's a good bet he'll notch his fifth straight top-two finish in the American League MVP race. Third baseman Yunel Escobar is having a nice first half to the season, too. Escobar leads the everyday players with a .327 batting average and is one hit away from joining Trout as the only 100-hit players on the team. Ageless wonder Albert Pujols still adds a nice punch of power for the Halos. At 36, Pujols is second on the team with 15 home runs and leads the team in RBIs with 58.

Much like their opponent this weekend, where the Angels struggle most glaringly is in the starting rotation. As of Friday's series opener, only one pitcher in the starting rotation boasts a winning record (Hector Santiago at 6-4), yet his ERA is mediocre at 4.58. Right-hander Matt Shoemaker starts Friday for the Angels, but his 3-9 record is a bit misleading. After getting off to a terrible 1-5 start, Shoemaker's ERA was a dismal 9.12. But since taking that fifth loss on May 11, Shoemaker's ERA has dropped by more than half, down to 4.40 following his latest start against Boston on July 3. He still doesn't have many wins to show for it, though, with his last victory coming on May 27. Nick Tropeano, who starts Saturday for the Angels, has been solid in his 11 starts this season. Tropeano is 3-2 with a 3.28 ERA, and has allowed more than three earned runs in only two starts. He's coming off of a no decision against the Rays on the Fourth of July in which he allowed two earned runs in five innings.

After singing with the Angels almost two months ago, former Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum starts Sunday's series finale. Lincecum looked like a gem of a find when he debuted for the Angels on June 18. The right-hander allowed one earned run through six innings in the team's 7-1 win over the Athletics. Since then, however, it's been a bumpy trail for Lincecum. He's 0-2 with a 10.50 ERA in his last three starts, but gave up only two earned runs and struck out 10 hitters in his only ever start against the Orioles in 2010.

The Angels' bullpen has had its fair share of issues, too. Closer Huston Street has been inconsistent since returning from the disabled list in May. Street has allowed nine earned runs in only 17 1/3 innings of work this season. He's also allowed 10 walks to just 11 strikeouts. Right-handed reliever Joe Smith was thought to be a bright spot for the Halos as he took over for Street's duties at closer in May. But Smith spent nearly all of June on the DL and, since returning to action on July 1, has allowed four earned runs in four innings of work.