Angels Win Their Second Series to Open 2025 Season
The Los Angeles Angels won their second straight series to open the season after taking two of three games from the St. Louis Cardinals. At 4-2, the Angels are a half-game back of the Texas Rangers as they kick off their home opening tonight against the Cleveland Guardians. Much like in the first series against the White Sox, the Angels’ starting pitching was the reason for victory. Also, the full minor league schedule gets underway today as some of the Angels’ top prospects take the field.
Angels Bullpen Depth is Exposed
Tyler Anderson opened the series against St. Louis by ending the Angels' season-long streak of quality starts. Still, Anderson battled for five innings, only allowing three runs. The Angels' offense matched their season output of five runs by scoring two in the top half of the 10th inning to seal the victory. The bullpen allowed zero earned runs over five innings, with only the ghost runner scoring in the bottom half of the 10th.
The Angels started a new streak of quality starts in game two of the series after Kyle Hendricks allowed two runs over six innings. Once again, the Angels won the game in extra innings. This time, however, it required them to score three runs in the 10th and 11th innings. The bullpen had issues as Ben Joyce and Ryan Johnson both blew saves, and Garret McDaniels gave up three runs (two earned) while only recording one out.
Luck ran out for the Halos in game three of the series as Cardinals' catcher Ivan Herrera slugged three home runs to help the Red Birds secure the victory. Two of Herrera's home runs were off of starter Yusei Kikuchi, who still managed to log a quality start. Unfortunately, Ian Anderson and Brock Burke both struggled to get outs for the bullpen. Anderson allowed five runs (four earned) over one inning, while Burke allowed four earned runs while getting only two outs.
Angels’ Offense Shows Signs of Life
After scoring a grand total of five runs in their opening series against the Chicago White Sox, the Angels matched that number every game in St. Louis. Nolan Schanuel went 4-12 with a couple of extra-base hits, Mike Trout hit his first home run of the season, and the Angels put up 19 runs over 30 innings. Once again, the best performer is someone who isn't yet an everyday player.
Kyren Paris continues to be the lightning rod on offense, which made it surprising not to see him in the lineup the final game of the series. Paris opened the series going 1-2 with a triple, while adding two walks, two runs, a stolen base and getting an outfield assist. His reward? Starting the next game on the bench. No problem. He was the pinch runner for Soler in the top of the 10th inning. All Paris did after that was score two runs, steal a base, and single in a run to help the Angels secure the victory. His reward for that? Getting the day off in game three.
Angels Minor League Notes
Zach Neto has begun his minor league rehab in Salt Lake though he has yet to play shortstop in his three games. Instead, the team has their star shortstop playing DH as he tries to recover from offseason surgery on his right shoulder. Neto hit his first home run last night and is slashing .231/.375/.538/.913 over three contests. There has been no indication of when he will return to the field.
After struggling with control during a rough first start to open the season for Salt Lake, Chase Silseth looked like the pitcher the Angels had in 2023. Still only 24, Silseth allowed only one hit and one earned run over five innings while striking out six. His control was still an issue as he walked four more batters, but he was able to work out of those jams against Albuquerque.
Caden Dana has his second start of the season tonight. The Angels’ top pitching prospect (#76 MLB) was listed as a top prospect to watch by MLB.com. If the 21-year-old can put together a string of quality starts, he might find himself in Anaheim before too long.
The full minor league season begins today as Class A through Double-A kick off their 2025 seasons. The Angels have their two top pitching prospects on the mound, with Dana in Salt Lake and George Klassen starting for the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Double-A will be home to top prospect Christian Moore (#66 MLB) as well as #6 prospect Nelson Rada, and #9 prospect Denzer Guzman.