Angels at Mariners
The Los Angeles Angels have won back-to-back series against division opponents and will try to get the jump on another one when they begin a four-game set at the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. After taking two of three from Texas at home, the Angels did the same at Oakland to begin this week, capped by a wild 12-7 triumph in 11 innings Wednesday afternoon.
Outfielder Cesar Puello, who was brought up from Triple-A Salt Lake City on Tuesday, had an impressive season debut for Los Angeles with a home run and four RBIs in the win. The Mariners carried a 7-5 lead into the eighth inning Wednesday against the Rangers before the bullpen faltered in an eventual 8-7 loss. It was Seattle's 11th defeat in the past 13 games and dropped the club - which beat the Angels five times in a 16-8 start - 10 games below .500 for the first time this year. Yusei Kikuchi will start the series opener for the Mariners, giving him a potential matchup with fellow Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: TBD vs. Mariners LH Yusei Kikuchi (3-2, 3.82 ERA)
The Angels are expected to utilize an opener for the second time in their last three games, with Cam Bedrosian performing the duties Tuesday in Oakland. Right-hander Felix Pena, who is 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA, will likely eat up some innings after the opener leaves the game. Pena is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in six games out of the bullpen, including four five-inning stints and one in which he tossed seven scoreless frames.
Kikuchi had posted four straight quality starts before he lasted just 3 1/3 innings in a loss at Oakland on Saturday. He gave up five runs and 10 hits while striking out a season-low one in the setback. The 27-year-old got the win despite allowing four runs in five frames at Los Angeles on April 20.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels CF Mike Trout (foot) sat out Wednesday's contest but expects to play the opener in Seattle.
2. Mariners SS J.P. Crawford (ankle) was placed on the 10-day injured list and the team recalled UTIL Dylan Moore from Triple-A Tacoma.
3. Seattle has won nine of the last 11 meetings.