Halos host Blue Jays for 2023 home opener at Angel Stadium
After nearly 200 days, Anaheim will finally play host to another baseball game as the Los Angeles Angels return to the Big A for their 2023 home opener.
The Halos started the season on a six game road trip that saw them take back-to-back series over the Oakland Athletics and Seattles Mariners to the tune of a 4-2 record. It's the first time they've done so to open a season since 2018.
Friday's matchup will be their first game versus an out of division opponent as they host the Toronto Blue Jays (4-3).
Fittingly enough, the Blue Jays star first baseman is none other than the son of Vladimir Guerrero — the lone Hall of Famer to sport the Angels cap on his plaque.
Vladdy will throw out the first pitch before Friday's game just moments before his son — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — is set to take the field.
Fans were invited to the stadium as early as 12:30 p.m. as current and former Angels players arrived to walk the Red Carpet at the Home Plate Pad at the Angel Stadium entrance.
Japanese media members flooded the area to catch a glimpse of Ohtani as he walked the carpet, just weeks after leading the Japanese National team to a World Baseball Classic victory.
Stadium gates opened at 4 p.m., where fans are able to witness the teams take batting practice before first pitch at 6:38 p.m.
Former Miss Anaheim Jill Marie Burke will sing both "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "O Canada" before a flyover by F-15C Eagles from the California Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing.
Patrick Sandoval (1-0) will take the bump for the Halos, making his second start of the young season after earning his first victory with five one-run innings against the A's, allowing just two hits and walking two. He'll face off against the Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt (0-1), who currently sports a 24.30 ERA.
Many of the players in the Angels lineup should be familiar with Bassitt, who spent six seasons in Oakland before heading to the New York Mets via free agency in 2022.
The Halos lineup has been potent thus far, with their top two players in Mike Trout (.368, 1 HR, 3 RBI) and Shohei Ohtani (.286, 2 HR, 6 RBI) performing as expected.
A few pressing concerns face the Halos front office as the season continues, especially that of whether Ohtani will depart via free agency at the end of the season. The profound two-way superstar has piled up accolades in his five big league seasons, and figures to be one of the highest-paid players of all-time in less than a year's time.
Additionally, fans around the Golden State are itching for the team to make a playoff appearance, having only done so once since 2010 when they were swept in three games, despite having four MVP seasons and two Rookies of the Year — both Trout and Ohtani.
Executives made big strides in the offseason, however, adding a number of complimentary pieces to their lineup (Hunter Renfroe, Brandon Drury, Gio Urshela) and strengthening their pitching rotation with the signing of starter Tyler Anderson and relief pitcher Carlos Estevez.
They're currently tied for the top spot in the American League West with the Texas Rangers as they search for their first playoff berth in more than a decade.
