It has been a tale of two campaigns for Los Angeles Angels veteran starter Tyler Anderson. The 34-year-old signed a three-year deal with the Angels after the 2022 season, and struggled to replicate the same success in his first season in Anaheim. 2023 saw him post a 5.43 ERA and 1.489 WHIP in 141 innings over 25 starts.
This put a massive microscope on his performance in 2024, as the Angels hoped for a bounce-back to justify the contract they gave him after his big season with the L.A. Dodgers. And so far, he has been even better than advertised. Anderson has a 2.48 ERA and 1.177 WHIP in 94.1 innings over 15 starts.
This was punctuated by an incredible start on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. He gave up one earned run in seven innings of work — although it was ultimately in a losing effort — making it his sixth start of the season completing at least seven innings. Manager Ron Washington discussed Anderson’s work on Wednesday, according to Brent Maguire of MLB.com:
“After that first inning, he spotted his fastball and kept them off the barrel. He was working fast and was very efficient,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “I just feel that he didn’t get a chance to win that ballgame.”
For Anderson, this season has been a stark difference from 2023 in nearly every way. He spoke about the biggest change from last season to this one that has allowed him to be successful.
“I think just getting back to myself and not chasing stuff I was chasing last year. And really for me, it’s my body,” Anderson said. “Last year, I wasn’t hurt, but my body didn’t feel good and I felt really tight and wasn’t able to get into the positions I wanted to get into. I just feel like I did a better job changing my offseason routine.”
The Angels are getting quality pitching from Anderson in 2024 after failing to do so last season. And although it may not be leading to wins at this time, it could provide the Angels with a valuable piece to trade at the deadline, or give them a reliable starter as they build out their 2025 roster.
Angels-Dodgers probable starters
The Angels are heading up the freeway to face Anderson’s former team, the Dodgers, starring former Angels MVP Shohei Ohtani. Here are the probable starters for the first Freeway Series of 2024.
Friday, June 21, 7:10 p.m. PST
Patrick Sandoval vs. Landon Knack
Saturday, June 22, 7:10 p.m. PST
Zach Plesac vs. Tyler Glasnow