LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:
LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the first of seven games on a road trip against the Boston Red Sox (April 14-17) and New York Yankees (April 18-20)…Halos went 2-3 on opening homestand of the year vs. Toronto (1-2) and Washington (2-1)…LAA was 4-2 on first road trip of year against Oakland (2-1) and Seattle (2-1).
ROOKIE RAKING: Logan O’Hoppe has driven in a run in seven of his 10 starts this season…His four home runs and 11 RBI this season lead the team…His four home runs through the Angels first 12 games of the year tie a franchise rookie record, joining J.T. Snow (1993) and Devon White (1987)…He was the first player to have an RBI in each of the Angels first three games of a season since Mike Trout in 2017.
LEGENDARY COMPANY: Mike Trout enters today’s game with 298 career doubles…With two more doubles, he would become the fourth player in MLB history with 300+ doubles, 300+ home runs and 200+ stolen bases by his age-31 season, joining Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez.
ON BASE DAILY: Taylor Ward has both reached base safely (via hit, walk, or HBP) in all 12 of the Angels games this season…In 2013, Mark Trumbo set the franchise record after reaching base safely in each of the Angels first 20 games (Rod Carew held previous record with a 19-game streak in 1981).
AT STAKE TODAY: With a win today, LAA would have an 8-5 record through 13 games for the third consecutive season.
VS. BOSTON: Today is the first of seven meetings this season between the Angels and Red Sox…In addition to the current four game series in Boston, the teams will meet again for three games at Angel Stadium from May 22-24…Red Sox won the 2022 season series 4-3, but Halos won two of three games at Fenway.
PLAYING ON PATRIOT’S DAY: Monday’s game vs. Boston is scheduled for an 8:10 a.m. PT first pitch and will mark the second time the Angels face the Red Sox on Patriot’s Day (also, 2007).
CANNING COMEBACK: RHP Griffin Canning (left groin strain) made his return from the injured list Wednesday and allowed two earned runs across 5.0 innings vs. Washington…It was his first MLB appearance since July 2, 2021 vs. Baltimore…Missed final two months of 2021 season and all of 2022 on the IL with a low back stress reaction.
THE SHUTOUT: Tuesday night, Shohei Ohtani, José Quijada and Carlos Estévez combined on a one-hit shutout of the Nationals…It marked the 26th one-hit shutout in franchise history and the first at Angel Stadium since June 5, 2018 vs. Kansas City.
ANOTHER SHOHEI RECORD: Tuesday night, Shohei Ohtani worked 7.0 scoreless innings to lower his season ERA to 0.47 (19 IP – 1 ER)…He has allowed two-or-fewer runs in 10 consecutive pitching starts, which established a new franchise record (Nolan Ryan had a nine game streak across the 1972- 73 seasons).
WALKING MAVERICK: On Wednesday, Brett Phillips became the first player in Angels history to draw walks in each of his first three plate appearances with the team. (ELIAS)
SCORING CHANGE: MLB has made an official scoring change to the Angels game on April 7 vs. Toronto…David Fletcher reached base in the 4th inning on what was originally ruled a sacrifice + E3…This has been changed to a bunt single.
WELCOME TO THE RENAISSANCE: Angels have had three lineups this season with Anthony Rendon, Hunter Renfroe & Luis Rengifo hitting consecutively in the order…On Opening Day, the trio hit in the 4-6 spots, marking the first lineup in franchise history to feature three straight players who have the same first three letters of their last name…The last MLB occurrence was by Detroit on July 20, 2015 (Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez, Jefry Marte).
BIG A RUN LEADER: Monday night, Mike Trout scored his 523rd career run at Angel Stadium, which established a new all-time record for the ballpark…Garret Anderson scored 522 runs at The Big A.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – LHP PATRICK SANDOVAL
1-0, 1.64 ERA
Owns a 0.69 ERA (26 IP – 2 ER) in five career April starts
• TODAY’S GAME: Making third start of the season and second on the road…Is in fifth Major League season with Angels…Made third Opening Day roster (also, 2020 & 2022).
• FIRST MONTH FEATS: Leads the Majors (min. 25 IP) with a 0.69 March/April ERA (26 IP – 2 ER) between the 2022-23 seasons.
• LAST TIME OUT: Did not factor in decision in last start on Friday vs. Toronto, after tossing 6.0 innings and allowing one earned run on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts…Marked second time starting Angels Home Opener (also, 2020 vs. Seattle).
• VS. BOSTON/AT FENWAY PARK: Has made one previous appearance vs. Red Sox on Aug. 11, 2019 at Fenway Park in first career Major League start (ND; 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO).
• WINNING STREAK: Dating back to last season, has won three straight decisions, which is longest streak of career.
• SANDY IN THE WBC: Made two starts in the 2023 World Baseball Classic for Mexico, going 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA (7.1 IP – 1 ER) and eight strikeouts…The two starts came against the United States (W; 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) & Japan (ND; 4.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO).
• LEFT IN THE PARK: Has not allowed a home run to a left-handed batter since Aug. 13, 2021 (Kyle Tucker, HOU)…Allowed just eight total home runs last season (all to right-handed batters)…Held opponents homerless through first nine starts of 2022 was the longest streak to begin a season in Angels history and longest overall streak for LAA since John Lackey had a nine game streak in 2005.
• 2022 RECAP: Made 27 starts for Angels last year, going 6-9 with a 2.91 ERA (148.2 IP – 48 ER) and 151 strikeouts…Led A.L. (min. 100 IP) with a 0.48 HR/9 innings rate, allowing just eight home runs on the year… In final 11 starts of the year, pitched to a 1.95 ERA (64.2 IP – 14 ER) and 60 strikeouts.
• WHIFF OF CHANGE: Generated a 44.5% whiff rate on his changeup last season, which was the second-highest rate for any pitch in the Majors (min. 175 PA); trailed only Framber Valdez’s curveball (45.4%)…Opponents batted .215 (35/163) this season against his changeup with 73 strikeouts.
• MOTOWN SHUTOUT: Recorded first career complete game and first career shutout on Aug. 19, 2022 at Detroit…He allowed just four hits while striking out nine, walking none and facing just one batter over the minimum across just 97 pitches (73 strikes).
• GOOD NIGHT: Last season, was 4-4 with a 2.50 ERA (72 IP – 20 ER) with 75 strikeouts in his 13 night starts, compared with a 2-5 record and 3.29 ERA (76.2 IP – 28 ER) in his 14 day games…His 14 day game starts ranked T-4th in the American League.
• NEAR RECORD STREAK: In 2022, compiled the fourth longest streak without an earned run (15.0 IP) by a starting pitcher to begin a season in Angels history…Came up 4.0 innings shy of Club record 19.0 IP by Nolan Ryan (1978) and Ken McBride (1962). (ELIAS)
• NEAR NO-NO: On July 24, 2021 at Minnesota, came within two outs of tossing a no-hitter before allowing a one out double to Brent Rooker in the 9th inning…Set career highs with 8.2 innings pitched and 13 strikeouts in the game (W; 8.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 13 SO)…Marked first time an Angels no-hit bid was broken up in the 9th inning since John Lackey (8.1 IP) on July 29, 2008 at Boston.
• IN THE WIN COLUMN: Earned first Major League win on Sept. 23, 2020 at San Diego after tossing three scoreless innings in relief…The win came in his 18th career Major League appearance…His 70.1 career innings entering the game were the most in Angels history at the time of earning a first career win.
• CAREER NOTES: Originally drafted by Houston in 11th round of 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Mission Viejo HS (CA), which is located just 20 miles from Angel Stadium…Acquired by Angels on July 26, 2018 in exchange for C Martin Maldonado
BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:
STATE OF THE SOX: The Red Sox were swept in a 4-game series at TB from Monday-Thursday, after sweeping the Tigers in a 3-game series in Detroit from 4/6-9. The Sox averaged 3.0 runs/game and 5.75 hits/ game over the 4-game series at TB, compared to 6.6 runs/game and 9.0 hits/game across their first 9 games of the season. Red Sox batters struck out 10+ times in each of the 4 games at TB (43 total SO)…They struck out 10+ times in just 1 of their first 9 games (62 total SO).
YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Red Sox lost at TB yesterday, 9-3…They led 3-1 after the top of the 5th inning before allowing 7 runs on 6 hits in the bottom of the 5th, both their most in any inning this season. Corey Kluber (4.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, BB, 7 SO) allowed a leadoff HR in the 1st inning, then retired 12 of his next 13 batters faced through the 4th inning…He exited with 2 on, 2 outs, and a 3-2 lead in the 5th. Justin Turner (2-for-4 R, 2B, RBI, SB) doubled, then scored in the 4th inning and hit an RBI single in the 5th.
CLOSE SHAVES: 9 of the Sox’ first 13 games have been decided by 3 runs or fewer…The only teams in MLB with more such games are CLE (11), KC (10), MIN (10), and SD (10). 6 of the Sox’ 8 losses have come by 3 runs or fewer, including 4 losses by 2 runs or fewer. The only teams with more losses by 3 runs or fewer are KC (8) and HOU (7). The only teams to lose more games by 2 runs or fewer are CIN and SEA (5 each).
LEADERS OF THE PACK: The Red Sox rank 3rd in the AL and 4th in MLB in runs scored (71), trailing TB (101) LAD (79), and BAL (74). The Sox also rank in the AL’s top 5 in various offensive categories (see below).
RED SOX OFFENSIVE RANKINGS
Stat AL Rank
71 R………………………… 3rd
44 XBH…………………. T-3rd
17 HR …………………… T-4th
Stat AL Rank
184 total bases ……………. 5th
.416 SLG …………………….. 5th
21.1 SO%……………………. 4th
ON THE OFFENSIVE: This is just the 4th time in the last 20 seasons the Red Sox have scored more than 70 runs through their first 13 games of a season…They also did so in 2021 (75 runs), 2018 (76), and 2005 (75). The Sox have hit 17 home runs through their first 13 games…Since 2000, their only seasons with more homers through 13 games were 2020 (18), 2003 (18), and 2002 (20).
NINE IS FINE: Over their first 13 games, the Red Sox have scored 9+ runs 4 times (3-1 record), 4-8 runs 4 times (2-2 record), and 0-3 runs 5 times (0-5 record). The Sox’ 4 games with 9+ runs scored are tied with LAD for 2nd most in MLB, trailing only TB (7).
INNINGS OF INTEREST: The Red Sox have scored in either the 1st or 2nd inning in 8 of their 13 games (18 total runs). They have scored 8 runs in the 1st inning, 4th most in the AL behind MIN (13), SEA (11), and TB (11). They have scored 9 runs in the 2nd inning, trailing only ATL (12), BAL (12), and TB (10) for most in MLB. The Red Sox have outscored opponents in the 8th and 9th innings, 15-5.
PINCH ME!: The Red Sox have used 15 pinch-hitters this season, going 6-for-15 with 3 RBI (2B, HR, BB). The Sox’ 6 pinch hits are 3 more than any other team. Their .429 AVG (6-for-14) in pinch-hit situations is tied for 2nd best in MLB, trailing only COL (.600; 3-for-5).
BOSTON STRONG: The Red Sox will be commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon with special events and pregame ceremonies during the current 4-game series vs. LAA. The Red Sox, in partnership with JetBlue, today distributed 40,000+ Red Sox City Connect hats to Boston Public Schools students and staff at 104 elementary and middle schools across Boston. Prior to tomorrow’s 4:10 p.m. game, the Red Sox will host special pregame ceremonies commemorating One Boston Day and the 76th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. Prior to Sunday’s 1:35 p.m. game, a reunion of the 2013 Red Sox World Series Championship team will take place during pregame ceremonies. On Patriots Day, Monday, 4/17, Hall of Famer David Ortiz will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 127th Boston Marathon…The Red Sox and Angels will play at 11:10 AM, with all fans in attendance receiving a Boston Strong t-shirt.
HOME COOKING: Tonight’s game is the first of a 7-game homestand vs. LAA (4 games) and MIN (3 games). The Red Sox are currently in a stretch of 19 games in 19 days, from 4/8-26 (2-4 so far). The Sox have averaged 5.8 runs/game and 9.2 hits/ game over their 6 home games this season…Both totals rank 3rd among AL teams.
SOX & ANGELS: Tonight will be the 1st of 7 scheduled meetings between the Red Sox and Angels in 2023. The Red Sox will visit Angel Stadium of Anaheim for a 3-game series from 5/22-24. The Sox lead the all-time series vs. LAA, 357-315, including a 17-9 record since the start of 2018.
MACHO MAN: Masataka Yoshida has hit from the 4th spot in the lineup in each of his 10 career games…He is the first player ever to bat 4th for the Red Sox in each of his first 10 MLB games. Yoshida is 1 of 3 players since 1950 to bat 4th in each of their first 10 MLB games, joining Kris Bryant (2015 with CHC) and Pete Incaviglia (1986 with TEX).
WHAT A RELIEF: Prior to last night, Red Sox relievers posted a 2.83 ERA (11 ER/35.0 IP) over the previous 9 games. 5 of the 9 pitchers the Red Sox have used in relief this season have posted an ERA of 3.00 or lower (see below).
RED SOX PITCHERS WITH A RELIEF ERA BELOW 3.00
Pitcher RELIEF ERA IP ER
Kenley Jansen 0.00 3.0 0
Josh Winckowski 1.00 9.0 1
John Schreiber 1.50 6.0 1
Chris Martin 2.57 7.0 2
Kutter Crawford 3.00 3.0 1
ON THE MEND: James Paxton will make a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester today vs. Columbus, scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m…He struck out 3 batters across 3.0 scoreless innings for the WooSox Sunday at Buffalo (2 H, 2 BB, 58 pitches). Brayan Bello allowed 1 run over 6.0 IP in a rehab start for Worcester on Tuesday vs. Columbus (4 H, 4 SO, HB, 81 pitches)
TONIGHT’S STARTER: 89 TANNER HOUCK – RHP
W-L ERA G GS IP ER HR BB SO AVG WHIP
2023 2-0 4.50 2 2 10.0 5 2 3 9 1.10 .229
CAREER 11-9 3.12 55 22 156.0 54 10 55 173 1.12 .214
Allowed 2 runs over 5.0 IP on Saturday at DET (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 SO)…Retired 9 of his first 10 batters faced. Owns a 3.63 ERA (32 ER/79.1 IP) in 26 games (12 starts) at Fenway Park. Has pitched at least 5.0 IP in each of his two starts this season (10.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO). 5 of his 9 strikeouts this season have come on his slider, with opponents batting .083 (1-for-12) in at-bats ending with the pitch. Has allowed 3 ER or fewer in 33 of his 34 outings since 4/8/22. Underwent a successful lumbar discectomy on 9/6/22, performed by Dr. Christopher Bono at Massachusetts General Hospital.
