Indians at Angels
Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani already is showing why nearly every team in the major leagues was clamoring for his services over the winter. Ohtani is expected to be in the lineup again a day after belting his first career home run as the Angels host the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday afternoon for the rubber match of their three-game series.
Two days after pitching six strong innings for his first major-league win, Ohtani moved to his role as a designated hitter on Tuesday and blasted a three-run shot to help lead the Angels to a 13-2 victory. Mike Trout, Justin Upton, Luis Valbuena and Rene Rivera also homered for Los Angeles, which moved to 4-2 and snapped its 12-game losing streak against the Indians. One bright spot for Cleveland was Jose Ramirez, who ended an 0-for-15 start to the season with a two-run homer in the first inning. The blast turned out to be the only hit on the night for the Indians, who began the year by losing two of three in Seattle before winning Monday’s series opener 6-0.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (0-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (1-0, 0.00)
Kluber was a hard-luck loser on Opening Day, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over eight innings in a 2-1 setback against Seattle. The 31-year-old surrendered a two-run homer to Nelson Cruz in the first inning before settling in and finishing with eight strikeouts on 91 pitches. Upton is 5-for-16 with three homers against Kluber, who is 2-2 with a 4.31 ERA in five career starts versus the Angels.
Skaggs opened the season on a strong note on Friday, tossing 6 1/3 scoreless innings with no walks and five strikeouts in a 2-1 victory over Oakland. “That’s as good as you can pitch,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. “Tyler was on top of it all night and finished strong. Got to almost 100 pitches and maintained his stuff.” Brandon Guyer is 4-for-5 with two homers versus the 26-year-old Californian, who is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in three career starts against Cleveland.
WALK-OFFS
1. Ohtani is scheduled to pitch against Oakland on Sunday in his first start at home.
2. Indians LF Michael Brantley (ankle) is expected to be activated from the disabled list prior to Friday’s home opener against Kansas City.
3. The Angels placed Matt Shoemaker on the 10-day disabled list with a right forearm strain and recalled fellow RHP Parker Bridwell from Triple-A Salt Lake.