Halos Heaven - July 28: Angels 10, Mariners 2Angels news and analysishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50595/hh-fav.png2020-07-29T05:11:00-07:00http://www.halosheaven.com/rss/stream/211099312020-07-29T05:11:00-07:002020-07-29T05:11:00-07:00Julio Teheran set for intrasquad game Thursday
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Angels" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bIDt6xE-POFcTrtllAGQIEFZt2A=/0x0:2939x1959/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67126061/usa_today_14153169.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>3 innings in Long Beach Thursday for the Angels RHP</p> <p id="ODFHQf"><a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> pitcher <span>Julio Teheran</span> will pitch three innings in an intrasquad game at the club’s alternate training site at Blair Field in Long Beach on Thursday, manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday.</p>
<p id="w93pRv">That simulated game was originally planned for Tuesday, but the veteran right-hander threw a light bullpen session instead. Pitching coach Mickey Callaway said the decision was not injury related, per an Angels spokesperson.</p>
<p id="GhKYH1">Teheran has been building up his innings after missing the first two weeks of summer camp while dealing with coronavirus, and started the season on the disabled list.</p>
<p id="9b2eTk">“I have to be smart about it. I know how to do it. I’ve been around for a long time,” <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/19/21330503/julio-teheran-los-angeles-angels-mlb-news-rumors">Teheran told reporters on July 19</a>. “I haven’t been injured because I know how to take care of myself and my arm.”</p>
<p id="8U082b">Teheran signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Angels in December after spending the first nine years of his career with the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>.</p>
<h3 id="M9SYsz">Notes & links</h3>
<ul>
<li id="2jb74P">As for the major league rotation, the Angels plan to keep <span>Shohei Ohtani</span> on his Sunday schedule, rather than move him up this week after Sunday’s six-batter, no-out start in Oakland.</li>
<li id="lwGKrg">
<span>Mike Trout</span>, now in his 10th major league season, is officially qualified for the Hall of Fame, <a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mike-trout-is-now-fully-qualified-for-the-hall-of-fame/">Jay Jaffe writes at FanGraphs</a>.</li>
<li id="xLRuOZ">Trout’s Sunday home run on a 3-0 pitch — the first of his career — was among <a href="https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/first-impressions-2020-mlb-season">Will Leitch’s notable first impressions of MLB’s opening week at MLB.com</a>.</li>
<li id="vIpRLQ">In American League West pitching news, Texas starter <span>Corey Kluber</span> was placed on the 45-day injured list, and Tony Wolfe at FanGraphs <a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/rangers-could-miss-corey-kluber-for-the-rest-of-the-season/">analyzed what that means for the Rangers rotation</a>.</li>
<li id="r3ySWC">Bill Shaikin at the Los Angeles Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-07-28/mlb-coronavirus-marlins-phillies-testing-season-players">wonders as more players test positive for coronavirus, can MLB protect them</a>?</li>
</ul>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/29/21345968/angels-notes-julio-teheran-shohei-ohtaniEric Stephen2020-07-28T22:08:42-07:002020-07-28T22:08:42-07:00Angels turn on power to beat Mariners
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<img alt="Seattle Mariners v Los Angeles Angels" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dCSzCumX0cjAnK1S1p0IBlEFkK8=/0x0:3721x2481/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67125336/1262140451.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Home runs by Anthony Rendon, Albert Pujols, and Max Stassi fuel 10-2 blowout</p> <p id="k20wBU"><span>David Fletcher</span> stayed piping hot and his <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> teammates brought the power in a 10-2 win over the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> in the 2020 home opener on Tuesday night in Anaheim.</p>
<p id="t3UkQi">Fletcher batted leadoff for the fifth time in five games on Tuesday night, but this time he started at shortstop instead of third base, with <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> placed on <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21345884/andrelton-simmons-injured-list-ankle-angels-luis-rengifo">the injured list with a left ankle sprain before the game</a>.</p>
<p id="2opbha">Fletcher had two singles and two walks on the night, his second time in three games reaching base four times. On the season, Fletcher is 10-for-18 (.556) with a .609 on-base percentage.</p>
<p id="w7dvou">The Angels rallied for a pair of runs in the third inning, but catcher <span>Max Stassi</span>’s first home run of the year, a three-run shot in the fourth, gave them some breathing room.</p>
<p id="bnTsET">It was one of three home runs on the night for the Angels, including a solo shot by <span>Albert Pujols</span> in the fifth and a two-run shot by <span>Anthony Rendon</span> in the eighth.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rendon wasted no time making his presence known. <a href="https://t.co/exJD68Jkqn">pic.twitter.com/exJD68Jkqn</a></p>— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) <a href="https://twitter.com/Angels/status/1288333860116164610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2020</a>
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<p id="A100jz">The home run was Rendon’s first hit as an Angel, though he also walked twice and scored twice <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21345294/anthony-rendon-angels-lineup">in his first game of the season</a>.</p>
<p id="8jC4bq"><span>Patrick Sandoval</span> was sharp on the mound in his first start of the season, striking out four in his four-plus innings. He allowed only one run in his first four innings, then allowed an unearned run in facing two batters to open the fifth.</p>
<p id="bzgGeK">He got 11 swings and misses in his 62 pitches on the night, 10 coming from his slider and changeup combined.</p>
<p id="LTyLyT">“He’s a classic example of a young man needing opportunity, that’s it,” manager Joe Maddon said before Tuesday’s game. “With opportunity and some confidence, the sky’s the limit.”</p>
<p id="aJp9Jw">As good as Sandoval was, the bullpen was even better, with five pitchers each tossing a scoreless frame, combining for seven strikeouts and one walk. </p>
<h3 id="Oeww7y">Tuesday particulars</h3>
<p id="E8wyVv"><strong>Home runs</strong>: <span>Max Stassi</span> (1), <span>Albert Pujols</span> (1), <span>Anthony Rendon</span> (1); <span>Tim Lopes</span> (1)</p>
<p id="yZz3LZ"><strong>WP — </strong><span><strong>Ryan Buchter</strong></span><strong> (1-0)</strong>: 1 IP, 1 strikeout</p>
<p id="3ahnjb"><strong>LP — Justin Sheffield (0-1)</strong>: 3 IP, 3 hits, 4 runs, 4 walks, 2 strikeouts</p>
<h3 id="RPG8pO">Up next</h3>
<p id="v5W36i"><span>Andrew Heaney</span> makes his second start of the season on Wednesday night (7:10 p.m. PT; Fox Sports West, ESPN). <span>Justin Dunn</span> makes the start for the Mariners.</p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21346128/angels-home-runs-anthony-rendon-albert-pujols-max-stassiEric Stephen2020-07-28T18:29:00-07:002020-07-28T18:29:00-07:00Angels home opener game thread
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Angels-Media Day" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ac8mg7tHmTYrHPIadEGYK04-2cw=/0x0:4419x2946/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67124791/usa_today_14058725.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Patrick Sandoval vs. Justus Sheffield on the mound</p> <p id="C5ctns"><span>Anthony Rendon</span> is back. </p>
<p id="Zjc7sA">It’s the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>’ home opener.</p>
<h3 id="2WS8kD">Pregame reading</h3>
<aside id="Vzhxgb"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Anthony Rendon to make Angels debut in home opener","url":"https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21345294/anthony-rendon-angels-lineup"},{"title":"The Angels’ home opener is here","url":"https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21344648/angels-home-opener-mike-trout-mariners-preview"},{"title":"Andrelton Simmons on injured list with ankle sprain","url":"https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21345884/andrelton-simmons-injured-list-ankle-angels-luis-rengifo"},{"title":"Series preview: Angels welcome Mariners for first home series of season","url":"https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21344634/series-preview-angels-welcome-mariners-for-first-home-series-of-season"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="BaRu43">Game info</h3>
<p id="4x1jzZ">Time: 6:40 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="lBm2hF">TV: Fox Sports West</p>
<p id="wTA2Nq"></p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21345923/angels-mariners-home-openerEric Stephen2020-07-28T18:23:00-07:002020-07-28T18:23:00-07:00Andrelton Simmons on injured list with ankle sprain
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KqYyAberAif0qwMtU1JHwSIzKP8=/0x0:3637x2425/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67124799/usa_today_14606317.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Luis Rengifo reinstated from injured list as well.</p> <p id="uDtGzZ">The <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> placed shortstop <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a left ankle sprain, one day after he tweaked his ankle at first base on an infield single in the ninth inning on Monday in Oakland. He <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/andrelton-simmons-injures-ankle">was removed for a pinch-runner</a>.</p>
<div id="Dd17Eo"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/andrelton-simmons-injures-ankle" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="EFGLEh">Ankle injuries have plagued Simmons the last few years, with three injured list stints. He missed eight games with a right ankle sprain in 2018, then last year missed 34 games in May and June, and another 19 games in August with left ankle sprains. </p>
<p id="ZQsbvc">“He probably knows how to deal with it,” manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday on a conference call. “But he was upbeat, if that’s possible, walking out of the ballpark yesterday.”</p>
<p id="SHXnha"><span>David Fletcher</span>, who started the first four games of the season at third base, <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21345294/anthony-rendon-angels-lineup">starts at shortstop in place of Simmons on Tuesday</a>.</p>
<p id="TID9LM">The Angels activated <span>Luis Rengifo</span> from the injured list, giving them another middle infield depth option.</p>
<p id="IR14d8">Rengifo started 11 games at shortstop in the majors in 2019, plus 12 more in Triple-A Salt Lake. But his main position for the Angels was second base, where he started 90 games, and even added three games in left field in the minors. Maddon appreciated Rengifo’s versatility.</p>
<p id="g4g2bT">“He can absolutely can play all over the place, which I think is going to be a strong suit,” Maddon said. “The big thing with him is that he hits from both sides and that’s what makes it very valuable.”</p>
<p id="KwdYFC">Rengifo hit .238/.321/.364 in 108 games for the Angels last season, and did his most damage against right-handed pitchers, hitting .246/.342/.381 with a nearly league-average 98 wRC+, compared to a 62 wRC+ against left-handers.</p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21345884/andrelton-simmons-injured-list-ankle-angels-luis-rengifoEric Stephen2020-07-28T15:23:23-07:002020-07-28T15:23:23-07:00Anthony Rendon to make Angels debut in home opener
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<img alt="MLB: JUL 10 Angels Summer Camp" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oaYhybXH0ByZ5ZHrfACbGWXLHzI=/0x0:3898x2599/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67124021/1227123555.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Rendon missed the first 4 games of the season with an oblique injury</p> <p id="csqNGS"><span>Anthony Rendon</span> is back in the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> lineup, starting at third base and batting third in their home opener Tuesday night against the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a>, making his Halos debut after missing the first four games of the season with a sore oblique.</p>
<p id="C48LGU">Rendon first felt tightness in his oblique <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/19/21329970/anthony-rendon-los-angeles-angels-news-rumors">during an intrasquad game on July 15</a>, and has been limited since. He gradually increased his activity in recent days, taking ground balls at third base as well as batting practice over the weekend with the Angels were in Oakland.</p>
<p id="ppTaKz">Had the Angels placed Rendon on the injured list to open the season, the earliest he could have returned is Friday, after missing seven games. As it stands, he missed four.</p>
<p id="8Yzkhx">Rendon hits third on Tuesday, in between <span>Mike Trout</span> and <span>Justin Upton</span> in the heart of the Angels’ order. <span>Shohei Ohtani</span> bats fifth as the designated hitter.</p>
<p id="PRdkbL"><span>David Fletcher</span> filled in admirably at third base in Rendon’s absence, going 8-for-15 (.533) with two doubles, two walks, and three RBI in Oakland. He had a four-hit day Sunday, and reached base in eight consecutive plate appearances at one point, four PA shy of the club record, set by Bobby Grich in 1984.</p>
<p id="AMmhsM">Fletcher remains in the lineup on Tuesday night against Seattle, batting leadoff and playing shortstop against Mariners left-hander <span>Justus Sheffield</span>. <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> is out of the lineup after rolling his ankle in the ninth inning on Monday in Oakland.</p>
<div id="DqSyro">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our home opener and Rendon's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Angels?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Angels</a> debut. <br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxSportsWest?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxSportsWest</a> <br> <a href="https://twitter.com/AngelsRadioKLAA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AngelsRadioKLAA</a> <a href="https://t.co/JoZBltjMJQ">pic.twitter.com/JoZBltjMJQ</a></p>— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) <a href="https://twitter.com/Angels/status/1288233770315689986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2020</a>
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https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21345294/anthony-rendon-angels-lineupEric Stephen2020-07-28T10:47:00-07:002020-07-28T10:47:00-07:00The Angels’ home opener is here
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<img alt="Los Angeles Angels Archive" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j8Jc7a0OG_KOjEA9Elm0jZxRLOE=/0x0:4471x2981/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67122112/1176007331.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ricardo Zapata/Los Angeles Angels/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Mike Trout is hitting .391 in home openers during his career</p> <p id="GRG4zS">The <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> 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 <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a>.</p>
<p id="TuTen5"><span>Anthony Rendon</span> hasn’t played yet, <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/27/21340516/anthony-rendon-los-angeles-angels-mlb-news-rumors">though that could change in this series</a>. <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> hurt his ankle in the ninth inning on Monday, which might hinder him or make him unavailable for a period of time.</p>
<aside id="v0CRio"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Series preview: Angels welcome Mariners for first home series of season","url":"https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21344634/series-preview-angels-welcome-mariners-for-first-home-series-of-season"}]}'></div></aside><p id="5ln73L">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.</p>
<p id="ULL9z1">The Angels are just 25-34 all-time in home openers.</p>
<p id="xsyQLS">Unsurprisingly, <span>Mike Trout</span> 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.</p>
<p id="2MclsM">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 <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/mike-trout-home-runs">in the Mike Trout home run daily</a> featured him taking Seattle pitchers deep.</p>
<p id="lIY7AH">But he faces a new foe on Tuesday night in <span>Justus Sheffield</span>, making his eighth major league start. The left-hander was part of the return from the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> for <span>James Paxton</span> in November 2018.</p>
<p id="kZFlhJ">Against the 24-year-old Sheffield, the Angels turn to 23-year-old <span>Patrick Sandoval</span>, making his 10th start of the season, and his 2020 debut.</p>
<h3 id="C5ctns">Game info</h3>
<p id="4x1jzZ">Time: 6:40 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="lBm2hF">TV: Fox Sports West</p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21344648/angels-home-opener-mike-trout-mariners-previewEric Stephen2020-07-28T06:34:00-07:002020-07-28T06:34:00-07:00Series preview: Angels welcome Mariners for first home series of season
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<img alt="Los Angeles Angels Summer Workouts" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8eTfmUROnYH4ZkTdye2403pKVss=/0x0:3720x2480/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67120465/1227697166.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Angels are 1-3 on the season</p> <p id="ZHXe5i">After a rough start to the season in Oakland, the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> will start a brand new three-game series at home against the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a>. LA is 1-3 to start the season, along with Seattle who is also 1-3 after opening the season on the road at Houston. </p>
<h3 id="9tqYBR">Tuesday: <span>Patrick Sandoval</span> vs. <span>Justus Sheffield</span> </h3>
<p id="jEpQwO">It’ll be the first start of the season for Patrick Sandoval, who has had quite the hectic month. <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/13/21322416/patrick-sandoval-covid-19-test-angels-camp">He reported to camp late because he tested positive for the coronavirus. </a>After looking impressive over the last few weeks, Sandoval looks ready to try and improve off of a very forgetful 2019 campaign. Last season as a rookie, the 22-year-old went 0-4 with a 5.03 ERA in nine starts. This will be his first time facing the Seattle Mariners. </p>
<p id="giKuiJ">Speaking of wanting to bounce back after a rocky year, <span>Justus Sheffield</span> hopes to do the exact same thing. In 2019, the 22-year-old made seven starts and posted an ERA of 5.50. Just like Sandoval, this will be the first time he’s facing this opponent. </p>
<h3 id="8cMXYq">Wednesday: <span>Andrew Heaney</span> (0-0, 1.93 ERA) vs. <span>Justin Dunn</span> </h3>
<p id="XT4npO">After getting the Opening Day nod last week, <span>Andrew Heaney</span> will make his second start of the season. He had an okay start, as he only lasted 4 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings. He allowed only one run on two hits while striking out six and issuing zero walks. Last year at Angel Stadium, <span>Heaney</span> went 2-4 with an ERA just below five. This will be his 10th career start against Seattle, tied for the most he’s ever faced a single team. He’s only picked up one win agains them, which came last year on June 1 when he struck out 10 in six innings. </p>
<p id="KYrnQr">Justin Dunn will be making his first start of the season and only the fifth of his career. Last year, Dunn threw a total of 6 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings in his four starts. Nope, that’s not a typo. He threw two innings in three of his starts, while going only <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> of an inning in another. He’s currently their No. 7 prospect, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/prospects/mariners/">according to MLB.com. </a></p>
<h3 id="dyBNyO">Thursday: <span>Dylan Bundy</span> (1-0, 1.35 ERA) vs. <span>Marco Gonzales</span> (0-1, 6.23 ERA)</h3>
<p id="fsVEKU">The lone win of the Angels’ season came in <span>Dylan Bundy</span>’s start on Saturday. He was fantastic for the Angels as he threw 6 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings of one-run ball. <span>Bundy</span> struck out seven and issued zero walks. This will be the first time he pitches at Angel Stadium in the home uniform but will be his fourth start at Angel Stadium. He’s had a rough time pitching in Anaheim, as he owns a 7.64 career ERA there. However luckily for him he’s facing Seattle, who he owns a career 2.70 ERA against in four games. </p>
<p id="Ec56ow"><span>Marco Gonzales</span> looks to bounce back after his rocky start in Houston on Opening Day. He allowed four runs in 4 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings and only struck out two. This will be his seventh career start at Angel Stadium, where he’s thrived during his career. He’s 3-0 with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Overall, this will be his 13th career start against the Angels, who he only has one loss against. </p>
<h3 id="9zPkSC">Notes about the offense </h3>
<ul>
<li id="QgcHbB">
<span>Anthony Rendon</span> is set to make his Angels debut this series, either tonight or tomorrow</li>
<li id="b1OhBy">
<span>David Fletcher</span> is off to an incredible start, as he leads the team with eight hits, double the amount of <span>Tommy La Stella</span> who has the second most</li>
<li id="kKw2yt">Through the first four games of the season, the Angels have only three home runs </li>
<li id="lYihvg">
<span>Mike Trout</span> has 41 career home runs against the Mariners, more than any team </li>
</ul>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/7/28/21344634/series-preview-angels-welcome-mariners-for-first-home-series-of-seasonBlakeHarris