The Los Angeles Angels didn’t begin their home stand as planned after dropping two out of three games to the Baltimore Orioles, but they can end it on a strong note against the Cleveland Guardians.
When the Angels entered their previous series, they were first in the American League with a record of 8-5 and the third best run differential at +9, but now they have dropped to second in the AL West with a +7 run differential that ranks them sixth.
It is also possible they will see David Fletcher return for the series, but the Angels don’t want to rush him back so they may decide to keep him out longer.
This is the first time the Angels will face the Guardians as the club changed their name from the Cleveland Indians this past offseason. Cleveland enters with a 7-8 record and +13 run differential.
Game 1: 6:38 p.m. PT
Michael Lorenzen will take the ball in the first game for the Halos. He has had mixed results through his first two starts, throwing six innings while allowing one run in his first outing before lasting just 3.1 innings with four earned in his second.
In his career, the right-hander has thrown 482.2 innings with a 4.08 ERA, but the majority of his innings have come as a relief pitcher.
The Guardians counter with Shane Bieber, who is among the top pitchers in MLB. This season, he is sporting a 2.25 ERA through 16 innings pitched with 16 strikeouts. He owns a career 3.26 ERA in 519 innings.
Game 2: 6:38 p.m. PT
Patrick Sandoval gets the ball in the second game of the series. The young southpaw has been effective with no earned runs allowed through his two starts but he has yet to throw more than four innings in either. He has also struck out 11 in his eight innings of work.
He owns a career 4.21 ERA in 171 innings but has been considered a breakout candidate by many.
Triston McKenzie starts Game 2 for the Guardians. He has made three starts so far this season and has limited runs well with a 2.38 ERA, but he’s thrown a total of just 11.1 innings across them. In his career, the 24-year-old right hander has pitched to a 4.43 ERA in 164.2 innings.
Game 3: 6:38 p.m. PT
Fresh off arguably the best outing of his career, Shohei Ohtani will be back on the mound for the third game of the series. The right-hander struggled in his second start of the season before throwing five perfect innings in his third while posting six shutout innings with 12 strikeouts.
Overall this season, Ohtani owns a 4.40 ERA in 14.1 innings but he has also managed to strike out 26 batters. He holds a career 3.59 ERA in 198 innings.
The Guardians turn to Zach Plesac, who has posted a 1.53 ERA in 17.2 innings this season, however he has struck out just 10 hitters. He has thrown 331.1 innings in his career with a 3.80 ERA.
Game 4: 1:07 p.m. PT
Reid Detmers will start the final game for the Angels looking to build on his previous outing. Although he owns an ERA of 6.57 through three starts, he’s coming off a game where he went five innings and allowed just two earned runs.
The top prospect has yet to show his talent at the Major League level with a 7.09 ERA across eight games started and 33 innings pitched.
Cal Quantrill goes in Game 4 for the Guardians. The right-hander has pitched to a 3.94 ERA in 16 innings this season while only striking out six. He owns a career 3.65 ERA in 300.2 innings.
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