Angels RHP Jack Kochanowicz Must Put 2025 Starts Against Tigers Behind Him

The Los Angeles Angels completed its first series sweep over the weekend after walking-off the Texas Rangers 2-1 Sunday.

Angels lefty Reid Detmers was outstanding against the division rival Rangers, allowing just one baserunner in the form of a Jake Burger solo home run in the second inning. Detmers struck out 14 in eight strong innings but earned just a no-decision as the teams were deadlocked in a 1-1 tie.

Angels center fielder Mike Trout tied the game in the third inning when he singled home catcher Sebastian Rivero, but that would be the last run scored until a fielding blunder by Rangers second baseman Justin Foscue allowed Los Angeles to win on a fielder’s choice.

With runners on first and second and one out, a weak broken-bat groundball up the middle was fielded by Foscue and he stepped on the bag for one but bobbled the ball trying to throw it over to first, then threw it low and it couldn’t be picked by Burger; the double play would have ended the inning.

The Angels finally don’t have the worst record in Major League Baseball, but it does still own the worst record in the American League, just one game behind the Detroit Tigers at 20-34.

Los Angeles travels to Detroit for a three-game series beginning Tuesday and will send right-hander Jack Kochanowicz to the mound against fellow righty Keider Montero.

Kochanowicz has been quite good for the Halos this season outside of a couple rough starts this month; he is 2-3 with a 4.55 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 41 strikeouts through 10 starts (57.1 innings).

After allowing six earned runs in two consecutive starts, Kochanowicz got back on track with six innings of three-run ball on three hits and four walks while striking out seven against the Athletics his last time out.

The Tigers were a thorn in the tall righty’s side last season, as he struggled in two starts against Detroit. He allowed 12 runs (11 earned) on 16 hits and four walks while recording two strikeouts over eight innings.

Montero shares the same 2-3 record as Kochanowicz but carries a 3.83 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 32 strikeouts through nine starts (49.1 innings) into the matchup. He has been reliable for a Tigers team missing its ace (Tarik Skubal) but wasn’t too sharp his last couple outings.

Montero earned a no-decision against the Cleveland Guardians after pitching five innings and allowing three runs on two hits and four walks while striking out just one batter.

The 25-year-old has faced the Angels just once in his career (2024) and he took the loss after tossing five innings of three-run ball on five hits and three walks while fanning five.

First pitch is at 3:40 p.m. PDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.