The Los Angeles Angels are looking to start the 2026 season off on the right foot, naming right-hander José Soriano the Opening Day starter against the Houston Astros.
The Los Angeles Angels have announced who will be taking the ball for the organization on Opening Day against the Houston Astros.
The Angels named right-hander José Soriano the Opening Day hurler after three quality seasons with the Halos. Soriano has earned it as he made 31 starts in 2025 and pitched to a 10-11 record with a 4.26 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 169 innings.
Keep in mind, pitching for a team like the Angels that doesn’t provide a ton of run support often makes his stats and record even more impressive. Soriano struck out 152 batters and while he didn’t post a great strikeout-to-walk ratio (just 1.95), he led the American League with just 0.6 HR/9 (home runs allowed per nine innings).
Soriano has been a reliable fireballer for the Angels and if he can continue keeping the ball in the ballpark, he figures to have another strong season as the starting rotation’s anchor.
While Soriano is a formidable option to start on Opening Day, some fans are questioning the decision for a couple of reasons.
Some believe that two-time All-Star lefty Yusei Kikuchi should have earned the nod instead of Soriano. Kikuchi, 34, was Los Angeles’ lone All-Star selection in 2025 and was incredible during the first half of the season. Kikuchi made 33 starts (most in AL) and went 7-11 with a 3.99 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 178.1 innings.
Kikuchi did lead the AL in hits allowed (180) and gave up 24 homers, but his ability to work out of jams was apparent last season. He struck out 174 batters but had a career-worst 74 walks.
Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez was another option to get the Opening Day look, especially after two great seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, albeit the last came in 2024. Rodriguez came over via trade early in the offseason and figured to be a top-of-the-rotation arm, but a rough spring training may have halted that.
In fact, rough spring outings may have factored into the organization’s decision to name Soriano the guy. Although Soriano has a 7.27 ERA in camp, Rodriguez has shown control issues and carries a high ERA. Kikuchi had a 6.75 ERA for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic before the country was eliminated Saturday and must be stretched out before the season begins.
Soriano is 17-21 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 324 big-league innings (91 appearances, 51 starts).