The Los Angeles Angels (28-25, 3rd AL West) are in the Windy City on Monday to play game one of a three-game series at Guaranteed Rate Park against the Chicago White Sox (22-32, 4th AL Central). Los Angeles lost to the Miami Marlins 8-5 on Saturday and have lost two straight following a four-game winning streak. Chicago was defeated by the Detroit Tigers 7-3 on Saturday and the White Sox have lost two of the last three. Los Angeles will play without four pitchers as well as position players Logan O’Hoppe, Anthony Rendon and Max Stassi. Chicago will play without three pitchers as well as position players Elvis Andrus, Billy Hamilton and Eloy Jimenez.
Los Angeles is six games behind first place in the American League West, but would be further behind if not for solid production at the plate. Los Angeles is 10th or better in four hitting statistics. The Angels are 7th in team batting average at .260, 8th in slugging percentage at .424, 9th in runs scored with 259 and 10th in on-base percentage at .328. Mike Trout has produced well at the plate with 11 doubles, a team-best 12 home runs and 28 RBI. Shohei Ohtani also has 12 home runs and a team-best 33 RBI. Los Angeles has six players with 20 RBI or more. The Angels have hit 80 doubles, five triples and 69 home runs in 53 games.
On the mound, Los Angeles is not performing as well as at the plate. Los Angeles is 15th in ERA at 4.20 and 20th WHIP at 1.32. The Los Angeles starting rotation has 16 Quality Starts which is tied for 18th and the pitching staff is holding opposing hitters to an average .241 which is 9th. Shohei Ohtani has a team-best 90 strikeouts. The right-hander also has a team-best five wins. Griffin Canning gets the nod on the mound Monday. This season the right-hander is 3-2 with an ERA of 4.95 and 30 strikeouts