The Los Angeles Angels won the first two games of its opening series with the Houston Astros but dropped the final two games for a series split.
After defeating the Houston Astros in the first two games of their four-game series, the Los Angeles Angels dropped the final two games for a series split.
The Angels won 3-0 on Opening Day after six brilliant innings from right-hander José Soriano and some late-game offense. Los Angeles won 6-2 the next day, highlighted by center fielder Mike Trout’s second home run in as many games and 4.2 scoreless innings from the bullpen.
It looked like the Angels were going to start 3-0 for the first time since 2007 after taking a 6-0 lead by the fifth inning, but the Astros stormed back with three runs in the bottom half of the inning followed by an eight-spot in the sixth. The Halos nearly came back in the ninth inning, scoring three and cutting the deficit to two runs but it was too late and the Astros won 11-9.
The Astros jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the second inning of the series finale but the Angels answered with four of its own in the top of the third followed by a two-run homer from shortstop Zach Neto in the fourth, his second homer of the season. Houston scored five unanswered runs in the fifth and eighth innings and held on to win 9-7.
The offense has not been a problem for the Angels whatsoever, which is great to see as this mostly young lineup progresses. Aside from the first two games, pitching has been a concern and so has the defense. The Angels lead Major League Baseball with six errors, and it has caused trouble for the pitching staff.
Los Angeles now begins a three-game set in Chicago against the Cubs, which dropped two of three against the Washington Nationals over the weekend. Both teams exchanged blowout wins in which they scored 10 runs before the Nats beat the Cubs 6-3 in the finale.
Given Chicago’s playoff aspirations, the team isn’t going to take losing the opening series to the Nationals lightly, especially when it was played at Wrigley Field. The Angels will have its hands full, but this Angels team can swing it.
Right-hander Edward Cabrera, who was acquired from the Miami Marlins for Chicago’s top prospect outfielder Owen Caissie during the offseason, will make his Cubs debut tonight against the second-best offense in baseball (I know it’s early, but it needs to be celebrated).
The Angels have hit the most home runs (nine) thus far and could prove to be a problem for Cabrera if he has trouble finding the zone. Los Angeles also leads the majors in walks (28) but have struck out 46 times, third-worst in MLB. This should be a good matchup.
Right-hander Ryan Johnson won a starting rotation spot at the end of spring training and will toe the rubber for the Halos in the opener. The 23-year-old is making his first career start against a tough lineup that poses a threat up and down the order.
Third baseman Alex Bregman hit two home runs in the 6-3 loss to Washington on Sunday and he’s very familiar with the Angels, so look for him to keep his momentum going against an old foe during this series.