The Los Angeles Angels make the trip to PNC Park on Friday, September 4, for a 6:45 PM ET showdown against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ryan Johnson gets the ball for the Halos opposite Pirates right-hander Jared Jones. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight for a club looking to finish strong, and this Friday night matchup in Pittsburgh is no exception. Catch it on Apple TV or listen on KLAA 830 if you're driving home from work.

Starting Pitchers: Ryan Johnson vs. Jared Jones

Ryan Johnson draws the start for the Angels. The right-hander will need to navigate a Pittsburgh lineup that has some real weapons, and controlling the strike zone early will be paramount. Johnson's ability to keep the ball in the park and generate ground balls will be tested at PNC Park, a hitter-friendly venue that can punish a pitcher who works up in the zone.

On the other side, Jared Jones takes the hill for Pittsburgh. Jones is a talented arm who can miss bats, and the Angels' lineup will need to be patient and disciplined to get to him. Getting deep into counts and forcing Jones to work will be the key to unlocking at-bats against him.

Angels Lineup to Watch

The Angels are rolling out a lineup with some genuine firepower. Mike Trout slots in at number two in the order, batting behind leadoff man Zach Neto. Trout's presence in the middle of a lineup is always the storyline — pitchers must deal with him, and the Angels need him to be a force. Wade Meckler bats third, with Vaughn Grissom cleaning up at first base. Moisés Ballesteros catches and hits fifth, while Christian Moore holds down second base from the six-hole.

• Zach Neto (SS) — Setting the table at leadoff
• Mike Trout (CF) — The anchor of the Angels' attack
• Wade Meckler (RF) — Third in the order, needs to drive runners home
• Vaughn Grissom (1B) — Cleanup spot, power threat
• Moisés Ballesteros (C) — Young catcher with a bat that plays
• Christian Moore (2B) — Part of the Angels' next wave
• Jose Siri (LF) — Speed and athleticism in the seven-hole
• Adam Frazier (DH) — Veteran presence as the designated hitter
• Oswald Peraza (3B) — Rounds out the order at the nine spot

Keys to the Game for the Angels

• Get Trout going early: If Trout sees good pitches and does damage, the Angels' offense opens up. Pittsburgh's pitching staff will game-plan around him, but the order has to make Jones pay when he pitches around the middle of the lineup.
• Johnson's command: Pittsburgh's lineup features Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, and Spencer Horwitz near the top. Those are hitters who can make a starter pay for mistake pitches. Johnson has to establish his fastball and keep runners off the bases.
• Limit the Pirates' power: Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds are legitimate threats to hit the ball out of any park. Johnson cannot afford to leave pitches over the middle against either of them.
• Bullpen management: If Johnson needs to exit early, the Angels' bullpen will need to bridge the gap and hold the lead or keep the deficit manageable.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for the Angels. Ryan Johnson has the opportunity to go out and put up a quality start, and if Trout and Grissom can produce with runners on base, the offense should have enough to compete on a Friday night in Pittsburgh. The Angels take this one, 5–3, with Trout driving in a pair of runs and Johnson working into the sixth inning.