Dylan Bundy looks to bounce back vs. Athletics

Through his first four starts of the season, Dylan Bundy was looking like the early favorite to win the American League Cy Young Award. He was 3-1 with an ERA of 1.57, along with 35 strikeouts and only three walks in 28 ²⁄₃ innings. Opponents were hitting only .150 off him, and he was cruising through his starts.

He came back down to earth during his last start, as he had his first rough outing of the year. On Tuesday against the Giants, Bundy lasted only four innings, his shortest outing of the year. He allowed four runs on four hits while walking four as well.

Bundy is likely not the favorite to win the award anymore after that start with such a short season. However, one more great start can get him right back on track and right back into the discussion.

This will already be the third time this season Bundy will face the Athletics. In his first start of the season against them, Bundy threw 6 ²⁄₃ innings of one-run ball. He allowed only three hits while striking out seven and issuing zero walks.

He was even better in his next outing, throwing seven shutout innings with only four hits. Bundy struck out a season-high 10 batters and issued only one walk.

The Angels will enter Sunday’s game at 9-19. Remember, with the new playoff format, the Angels can still finish third (even fourth) in the division and still make the playoffs. With only 32 games, there is a lot of ground to make up. However, if the Angels can go on a little winning streak, they can find themselves back in the playoff hunt after a few games.