The Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday in Detroit. Both teams are far removed from the playoff picture and will spend the remainder of the season reviewing their rosters as they continue to rebuild. The pitching matchup for Sunday's finale will be reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani (10-7, 2.69) of the Angels taking on returning lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 4.38) of the Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40pm EST.
The future of the Los Angeles Angels is definitely in flux as the team has to deal with the ever-changing status' of their two superstars, Mike Trout and today's starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani. Trout just recently returned from a rare back injury and hasn't played in over 100 games since the 2019 season. Trout will certainly be watched closely the rest of the season in order to protect the Angels' superstar that is inked to a 10-year deal. Speaking of deals, the Angels will also spend this offseason considering what to do with Ohtani and his impending free agency after next season. Ohtani has made overtures that he may not look to resign with the Angels. Expect his name to be actively mentioned in offseason trade possibilities. In the first two games of the series, the teams exchanged one-run victories with the Angels winning 1-0 on Friday night and the Tigers squeaking out a 4-3 victory on Saturday. The Angels continue to s truggle to produce at the plate.
The ?S?h?o?h?e?i? ?O?h?t?a?n?i? ?H?o?m?e?s?t?a?n?d? ?A?w?a?r?d? Player of the Homestand votes are in ??
Congrats to Shohei Ohtani on keeping the title! https://t.co/nNSaV02Q2h pic.twitter.com/OMo2wjPbAV
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 19, 2022
The Angels lineup has welcomed back superstar Mike Trout with open arms. In his absence, along with various other injuries to their lineup, the Angels offense has taken a dive. In the past 25 games prior to this series, the Angels have hit just .223 as a team and scored just 3.6 runs per game. Trout's insertion into the lineup should help Ohtani get better pitches to hit. On the mound in the series finale will be two-way star Ohtani. Ohtani has returned to the pitching form that made him a sensation in 2021. In his last five starts, he is just 1-3 but has a solid 3.60 ERA and is striking out 12.6 batters per nine innings. Ohtani has yet to face the Tigers this season.