The Los Angeles Angels have been swept in three consecutive series, but now they have four games to prevent another sweep as they host the Boston Red Sox, who have had their own struggles this season.
Both clubs enter the series right around .500, with the Angels one game below at 27-28 and the Red Sox sitting on the mark exactly at 27-27. The Angels have seen their run differential drop to +11 after holding one of the American League’s top differentials just two weeks ago, while the Red Sox are at +38.
The Angels looked like they were going to end the losing streak on Sunday, but a late-inning bullpen collapse where they allowed seven runs in the final two innings sealed a heartbreaking loss.
Game 1: 6:38 p.m.
Noah Syndergaard opens the sereis for the Angels after struggling in two of his last three outings. He is coming off a performance where he allowed five runs in just 2.1 innings, and on May 16 he was only able to record two outs while giving up six runs (four earned).
Between those starts, he pitched eight innings and allowed just one run, so he will hope to replicate some of that success against the Red Sox.
On the season, he owns a 4.02 ERA in 40.1 innings pitched with 27 strikeouts.
Michael Wacha starts for the Red Sox in the midst of a resurgent season. He has posted a 2.43 ERA in 40.2 innings while striking out 27, and it is his first season with an ERA below 4.75 since 2018.
He spent some time on the 15-day injured list this season with left intercostal irritation, but that has not slowed him down too much. His only blemish came in his second appearance back when he allowed five earned runs in 4.1 innings.
Game 2: 6:38 p.m.
The Angels recalled Jose Suarez to start the second game and optioned Chase Silseth. The left-hander has pitched 17.2 innings this season with a 6.11 ERA, and his career ERA is not much lower.
He opened the season in the Angels’ rotation, but he was optioned due to his struggles.
Garret Whitlock, who is having his own breakout season as a starting pitcher, goes for the Red Sox.
The right-hander spent the 2021 season in the Boston bullpen but earned a spot in their rotation this season and has thus far been very impressive. He owns a 3.02 ERA in 44.2 innings while striking out 44 hitters.
Game 3: 6:38 p.m.
Reid Detmers takes the ball in the third game trying to turn in a quality outing in a season plagued by inconsistency.
In his last outing, he only lasted 4.1 innings but allowed no runs. That followed a start where he went six innings and allowed five runs. On the season, the rookie has pitched 45 innings with a 4.20 ERA.
Nathan Eovaldi will be on the mound for the Red Sox in the third game. In 63.1 innings, he has struck out 67 batters and holds a 3.41 ERA. The veteran right-hander pitched six shutout innings in his last appearance and has acted as a workhorse for the Red Sox rotation.
Game 4: 6:38 p.m.
The final game will be started by Shohei Ohtani, who has had back-to-back poor starts. In his last two games, he has thrown nine innings while giving up nine runs, with his last start lasting just three innings with four runs.
This season, he owns a 3.99 ERA in 47.1 innings with 65 strikeouts.
Nick Pivetta will pitch the final game for the Red Sox. The right-hander, like Eovaldi, has also eaten a lot of innings for the Red Sox, posting a 3.50 ERA across 61.2 innings while striking out 58 hitters.
He is coming off a strong start where he pitched seven shutout innings and gave up just two hits.
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