The Los Angeles Angels are hoping to snap a seven-game losing streak when they host the New York Mets on Saturday afternoon. Both teams have struggled to find their footing early this season, making this matchup a critical opportunity to turn things around.
The Angels (12-21) sit fifth in the AL West and have dropped seven straight contests. Their home record stands at 5-8, but they've shown some pop at the plate—going 8-4 when they hit two or more home runs. Meanwhile, the Mets (11-21) are fifth in the NL East and have gone 5-9 on the road. New York has had trouble containing opponents' power, posting a 5-12 record when allowing a home run.
Saturday's game marks the second meeting between these two clubs this season. On the mound, the Mets will send out Nolan McLean (1-2, 2.55 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 45 strikeouts), who has been a bright spot with impressive strikeout numbers and a stingy WHIP. The Angels counter with Reid Detmers (1-2, 4.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 36 strikeouts), who will look to quiet a Mets lineup that has been inconsistent.
For the Angels, all eyes remain on Mike Trout, who continues to produce with five doubles and 10 home runs. Nolan Schanuel has been heating up recently, going 10-for-35 with four doubles, a home run, and six RBIs over his last 10 games. The Mets will rely on Juan Soto, who is hitting .344 with four doubles, three homers, and eight RBIs. Bo Bichette has also been productive, collecting 11 hits in his last 38 at-bats, including two doubles and a home run.
Looking at recent form, the Angels are just 1-9 in their last 10 games, batting .250 with a 6.05 ERA and being outscored by 23 runs. The Mets haven't fared much better at 4-6, hitting .229 with a 4.20 ERA and being outscored by nine runs over the same stretch.
Both teams are dealing with significant injuries. The Angels have Robert Stephenson (elbow), Alek Manoah (finger), Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder, day-to-day), Kirby Yates (knee), Ben Joyce (shoulder), Ryan Johnson (illness), Logan O'Hoppe (wrist), Grayson Rodriguez (arm), and Anthony Rendon (hip) on the shelf. The Mets are without Luis Robert (back), Jorge Polanco (wrist), Kodai Senga (spinal lumbar), Jared Young (knee), Francisco Lindor (calf), Reed Garrett (elbow), Joey Gerber (finger), A.J. Minter (lat), Justin Hagenman (rib), Tylor Megill (elbow), and Dedniel Nunez (elbow).
With both teams hungry for a win and key players sidelined, Saturday's game promises to be a battle of resilience. Will the Angels finally break their slide, or can the Mets build some much-needed momentum on the road?