The Los Angeles Angels are back in Anaheim after a 10-day, nine-game road trip that saw them go a combined 5-4 against the Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves. In this seven-game home stand, they’ll see the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants with playoff implications aplenty.
The Angels find themselves at 56-53 with 53 games remaining in the season. They sit four games behind the Blue Jays for the third and final wild card spot in the American League postseason picture. Two teams — the Boston Red Sox and the Mariners — sit in between them in the standings.
Even with over 50 games remaining in the schedule, it’s not difficult to see the importance of this series for the Angels. Taking three of four against Seattle would vault them 1.5 games above their division opponent and put them in striking distance of Toronto.
Splitting or losing the series would give them another major obstacle as the season dwindles down to its final two months.
Then, the Angels get the Giants, who have managed to land 60 wins in their first 109 games and have won six of their last eight heading into Thursday. Neither matchup will be easy, but the hope is that the home Angels — 29-23 in Anaheim this season — can propel themselves ahead.
The Angels are likely getting two pitching performances from Shohei Ohtani on this homestand. He is the projected starter for both Thursday against the Mariners and next Wednesday against the Giants.
Ohtani is coming off of both a Player of the Week and Player of the Month award win in the American League.
Angels vs. Mariners
Game 1: Thursday, Aug. 3, 6:38 p.m. PT
Shohei Ohtani vs. Bryan Woo
Game 2: Friday, Aug. 4, 6:38 p.m. PT
Reid Detmers vs. Luis Castillo
Game 3: Saturday, Aug. 5, 6:07 p.m. PT
Tyler Anderson vs. George Kirby
Game 4: Sunday, Aug. 6, 1:07 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Chase Silseth vs. Bryce Miller
Angels vs. Giants
Game 1: Monday, Aug. 7, 6:38 p.m. PT
Patrick Sandoval vs. Alex Wood
Game 2: Tuesday, Aug. 8, 6:38 p.m. PT
Lucas Giolito vs. Logan Webb
Game 3: Wednesday, Aug. 9, 6:38 p.m. PT
Shohei Ohtani vs. TBD