Royals vs. Angels
While most believe Los Angeles is far closer to winning a World Series title than Kansas City, talented cornerstones Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas are two big reasons optimism surrounds the Royals’ future. Hosmer and Moustakas both homered Saturday to help drive Kansas City to its first victory of the season. The Angels are on the shortlist of World Series contenders, but gave up 12 hits in Saturday’s loss.
Los Angeles grabbed plenty of headlines when it signed Albert Pujols in the off-season, but one ripple effect of that signing was the move of Mark Trumbo to third base, where he committed two errors on Friday. Trumbo did not play on Saturday, while Pujols got his first hit in a Los Angeles uniform. Kansas City left-hander Jonathan Sanchez makes his AL debut in the series finale.
TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Kansas City LH Jonathan Sanchez (2011: 4-7, ERA 4.26) vs. Los Angeles RH Ervin Santana (2011: 11-12, ERA 3.38)
Both pitchers have no-hitters on their resume. Sanchez spun his against the Padres in 2009, and won 13 games with a 3.07 ERA to help the Giants win the World Series in 2010. Injuries limited Sanchez to 19 starts last season, and San Francisco dealt the 29-year-old to the Royals in the off-season.
Santana gave up a run but no hits against Cleveland last July, striking out 10. The right-hander lowered his ERA by more than one-half run last season and pitched four complete games in 33 starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Kansas City will rotate catchers while Salvador Perez recovers from knee surgery. Brayan Pena and Humberto Quintero will both play until Perez’s return, expected around midseason.
2. Sanchez struggled in spring training, posting an 8.74 ERA and allowing 17 hits and six walks in 11 2/3 innings.
3. Los Angeles does not need a fifth starter until April 15 at New York. Jerome Williams and Garrett Richards each have one more minor-league start in the competition for the fifth spot.