The Los Angeles Angels turn to its No. 4 prospect, right-hander George Klassen, to beat the Cincinnati Reds and win the series on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Angels dominantly won its series opener over the Cincinnati Reds 10-2 after a brilliant start from right-hander Jack Kochanowicz and three home runs from the offense.
Shortstop Zach Neto went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, designated hitter Jorge Soler went 2-for-5 with a grand slam and left fielder Josh Lowe went 2-for-5 with a solo home run while third baseman Yoan Moncada went 2-for-2 with a triple and two walks as the Angels routed the Reds to get back in the win column.
Kochanowicz was incredible for the second straight outing, earning his second win of the season after pitching seven innings of one-run ball and allowing just two hits and four walks while punching out two. He outdueled Cincinnati’s rookie righty Chase Burns, who allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Game two of the three-game set will feature the Angels’ No. 4 prospect right-hander George Klassen and Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson.
Klassen was roughed up in his first career start against the Seattle Mariners, getting pulled after 2.2 innings as he allowed two runs on three hits and five walks with four strikeouts.
Williamson was hit hard in his first start of the season, earning a loss after allowing six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three against the Pittsburgh Pirates before going 6.2 scoreless innings and allowing three hits and one walk with four strikeouts in a winning effort against the Miami Marlins.
Williamson will face the following lineup, drawn up by manager Kurt Suzuki:
1. Neto (SS)
2. Mike Trout (CF)
3. Jo Adell (RF)
4. Soler (DH)
5. Nolan Schanuel (1B)
6. Vaughn Grissom (2B)
7. Logan O’Hoppe (C)
8. Moncada (3B)
9. Bryce Teodosio (LF)
Grissom is making his Angels debut after having a sprained wrist that required him to begin the season on the 10-day injured list. He played 64 games with the Atlanta Braves during the 2022 and 2023 seasons before playing 31 games with the Boston Red Sox in 2024, who traded him to the Angels during the offseason after he spent the entire 2025 season in Triple-A.
The Reds are 8-6, but its offense has been inconsistent. This is a good draw for Klassen, who could definitely use a confidence boost after his first start didn’t go so well. His stuff plays well and he’s one of the team’s top prospects for a reason, so his first outing shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Klassen will face the following lineup, drawn up by manager Terry Francona:
1. TJ Friedl (CF)
2. Spencer Steer (LF)
3. Elly De La Cruz (SS)
4. Sal Stewart (2B)
5. Eugenio Suarez (DH)
6. Nathaniel Lowe (1B)
7. Tyler Stephenson (C)
8. Noelvi Marte (RF)
9. Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B)
Expect Klassen to be juiced up and looking to outperform how he did in his debut.