The Los Angeles Angels are one of the league’s worst teams by record. Therefore, they had just one representative on the American League roster at the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. That was starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, who has bounced back in a major way from a rough 2023 season and has resembled the pitcher the Angels signed to a three-year deal in 2022.
The All-Star Game went similarly to how many of the sport’s recent Midsummer Classic have gone. The AL trounced the NL by a 5-3 score thanks to a game-winning two-run home run from Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran. It earned him All-Star Game MVP honors and gave the AL their 10th win in the last 11 games.
The AL — managed by Bruce Bochy of the Texas Rangers — used nine pitchers in nine innings on Tuesday night. Corbin Burnes of the Baltimore Orioles was the starter, and he was followed by Cy Young hopeful Tarik Skubal. All three runs given up by the AL — in the form of a Shohei Ohtani home run — were allowed by Tanner Houck.
Garrett Crochet, Mason Miller, Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Kirby Yates and Emmanuel Clase shut things down to close out the game and secure the American League victory. But Anderson, in his second All-Star Game, still has yet to actually take the field for game action.
Anderson was benched for the evening in Texas. He was one of three AL pitchers to not get the opportunity to pitch. Andres Muñoz — an injury replacement for Logan Gilbert — did not play. Neither did Clay Holmes of the New York Yankees. But with Anderson being one of five multi-time All-Stars, it would have been a great moment for him to get a chance to play, unlike his last selection in 2022.
Anderson has all the tools to make another All-Star Game, and hopefully in that one he’ll have the chance to play. But still, he can walk away knowing that he is a multi-time All-Star.
Angels’ Caden Dana gives up one earned in Futures Game
The 2024 MLB All-Star Future Games was held on Saturday at Globe Life Field, which saw the National League Futures earn a 6-1 win over the American League Futures.
Representing the Los Angeles Angels was No. 1 prospect and No. 90 overall MLB prospect Caden Dana. Dana was the first pitcher out of the bullpen for the American League after Texas Rangers prospect Emiliano Teodo began the game with two perfect innings.
Dana gave up two hits, including a home run to Cincinnati Reds top-100 prospect Cam Collier. He also struck a batter out in one inning of work.