The Angels’ home opener is here

The Angels limped home after dropping three of four games in Oakland, scoring only 11 runs over the long weekend. But they are back in Anaheim, set for their home opener Tuesday night against the Mariners.

Anthony Rendon hasn’t played yet, though that could change in this series. Andrelton Simmons hurt his ankle in the ninth inning on Monday, which might hinder him or make him unavailable for a period of time.

Starting the season slow is nothing new for the Angels, who have lost their last seven Opening Day games. Five of those were on the road. But in their home openers things haven’t gone much better, dropping six of their last seven first games at home.

The Angels are just 25-34 all-time in home openers.

Unsurprisingly, Mike Trout has still managed to shine in his home openers. He’s played in seven of them, dating back to 2013, and is hitting .391/.483/.739 (9-for-23) with two home runs and a triple. Trout has reached base twice in five of his seven home openers.

Trout also gets to face the Mariners, against whom he’s hitting .322/.428/.641 with 41 home runs in 155 games, his most homers against any opponent. Several posts in the Mike Trout home run daily featured him taking Seattle pitchers deep.

But he faces a new foe on Tuesday night in Justus Sheffield, making his eighth major league start. The left-hander was part of the return from the Yankees for James Paxton in November 2018.

Against the 24-year-old Sheffield, the Angels turn to 23-year-old Patrick Sandoval, making his 10th start of the season, and his 2020 debut.

Game info

Time: 6:40 p.m. PT

TV: Fox Sports West