Indians at Angels
The Los Angeles Angels had no say in the matter, but they might have preferred a different opponent for Monday’s home opener than the Cleveland Indians, who have won the last 11 meetings between the clubs. The Angels look to halt the skid after taking three of four at Oakland, including Sunday’s 7-4 victory.
Shohei Ohtani worked six strong innings in his major-league debut on the mound and Andrelton Simmons continued his hot start with three hits to lead the Angels, who are off to their first 3-1 start since 2008. Los Angeles' infield took on a different look when Ian Kinsler (groin) landed on the disabled list Saturday, as Zack Cozart moved to second base and Luis Valbuena took over at third. Cozart is batting .357 with four extra-base hits for Los Angeles, whose bullpen remains a concern after closer Blake Parker gave up hits to three of the four batters he faced and was pulled in Sunday’s contest. The Angels are facing a Cleveland squad that dropped two of three at Seattle and could use a spark from Jose Ramirez, who is hitless in his first 12 at-bats after hitting .318 last season. Edwin Encarnacion belted two home runs in Sunday’s 5-4 loss to the Mariners, but Francisco Lindor is hitting .154 from the leadoff spot.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, ESPN2, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (2017: 12-6, 3.11 ERA) vs. Angels RH JC Ramirez (2017: 11-10, 4.15)
Clevinger enters the new campaign looking to build on his strong finish a year ago, when he posted a sub-1.00 ERA over his last 27 1/3 innings of the regular season. The 27-year-old has bounced between the minors and Cleveland over the last two years but solidified his spot in this season’s rotation with a strong spring as he finished with a 3.79 ERA over 19 frames in six games. Clevinger owns a 2-0 record and 3.94 ERA in three career starts against the Angels.
Ramirez missed the final six weeks of the 2017 season due to a right elbow injury but was cleared in time for spring training and posted a 5.40 ERA over 13 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old Nicaraguan led the Angels with 11 victories and had posted a 4.15 ERA in 27 games (24 starts) before suffering his elbow injury in August. Ramirez is 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in five career games (one start) against the Indians.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Angels are opening at home against the Indians for the fifth time in club history (1965, 1980, 1999 and 2002).
2. Cleveland MGR Terry Francona said RHP Danny Salazar (rotator cuff inflammation) will need another month to get his arm into pitching shape.
3. The Angels acquired INF Ryan Schimpf from Atlanta and assigned him to Triple-A Salt Lake.