Apr 4, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe (14) hits a single during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Despite posting a franchise-record 99 losses in 2024, the Los Angeles Angels have a growing sense of optimism about this season.
The Angels are off to a good start, including two wins in extra innings on a season-opening road trip.
Los Angeles, however, will look to bounce back from an 8-6 loss in the series opener when it hosts the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday in Anaheim, Calif.
“They are learning how to pull for each other,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “They are learning how to stay in the fight. And if you’re going to be successful, you’re going to have to be in those kind of ballgames. Those are the kind of ballgames that winning teams have to be in. And we’re getting a taste of it early.”
Winning the close games seems to have a carryover effect into the clubhouse.
“I got goosebumps, and just being with this group of guys and everything, it’s just electric 24/7,” said Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a walk Friday.
“There’s a totally different vibe in here from last year to this year, and it’s awesome. It’s awesome to be a part of.”
Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will be on the mound Saturday for Los Angeles, coming off a no-contest in his first start of the season. He gave up two runs and four hits in six innings and did not walk a batter in Los Angeles’ 3-2 win.
Kochanowicz, 24, has yet to face the Guardians in his career.
Tanner Bibee (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will start on Saturday for Cleveland. The right-hander threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed just two hits in a 6-2 victory over the Royals last Sunday.
Bibee originally was slated to be Cleveland’s Opening Day starter, but four hours before the scheduled first pitch he was scratched because of what the club said was food poisoning.
His first start was pushed back three days to Sunday, and he pitched well, though he appeared upset about being pulled from the game by Guardians manager Stephen Vogt with two outs in the sixth inning.
“I always want to stay in the game no matter what,” Bibee said. “Sometimes I’m not going to be happy about it, but it’s not my choice. He’s just trying to protect me, that’s it. It’s what his job is as the manager, so I get it.”
Bibee, who is 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA in four career starts against the Angels, threw at least six innings in 13 of his 31 starts last season, but only once in his initial nine starts.
“I feel like the first couple starts is making sure that you come out healthy,” Bibee said. “It’s a little bit of a spring training; no one is going to be going eight innings the first couple starts.
“So I feel like it’s just getting through those starts and making sure you’re coming out healthy. And then I feel like after a couple, you’re full bore right into the season.”
Three Angels players had to leave Friday’s games with injuries — infielder Luis Rengifo (left hamstring), reliever Ryan Zeferjahn (right hamstring) and third baseman Yoan Moncada (right thumb).
–Field Level Media
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