Los Angeles Angels' pitcher Jose Soriano is set to take the mound with a strong intent to recover his early-season brilliance as his team faces the Athletics in a bid to even their four-game series. Once hailed as a potential Cy Young contender due to his outstanding March/April performance, Soriano's form has dipped recently, marked by three losses in his last four starts. This upcoming game provides a crucial opportunity for him to reverse the trend and re-establish his dominance.
Soriano's early season was nothing short of spectacular. Across his initial six starts, he maintained an ERA of 0.24, surrendering only a single earned run over 37 2/3 innings, while racking up 43 strikeouts. This exceptional performance led to him being recognized as the American League Pitcher of the Month for March/April, sparking discussions about his potential for the prestigious Cy Young Award. However, his recent outings have not been as favorable, casting a shadow over his previously unblemished record.
His most recent appearance, a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, saw Soriano endure his toughest start of the season. Despite allowing just one hit, a single by Freddie Freeman, he walked a career-high six batters and conceded six runs in 5 1/3 innings. This performance culminated in a 15-2 defeat for the Angels, highlighting challenges with his command. Reflecting on the game, Soriano acknowledged his struggles, emphasizing his determination to prepare effectively for his next opportunity.
Soriano's historical record against the Athletics also presents a challenge, with a 1-3 record and a 9.00 ERA over eight career appearances, including six starts. His last encounter with the Athletics in September saw him struggle, giving up eight earned runs in a mere 2 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, the Angels as a team have been experiencing a difficult period, losing eight of their last nine games and managing only six wins in their last 29 contests.
On the opposing side, Athletics' right-hander Luis Severino, with a 2-5 record and a 4.45 ERA, will start. He holds a 0-1 record with a 3.38 ERA in seven career starts against the Angels. Severino, much like Soriano, has also had a challenging May, going 0-3 with a 4.41 ERA in his three starts this month. His last outing resulted in a 6-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants, where he allowed five runs on 10 hits over six innings, including two home runs.
Despite Severino's recent struggles, the Athletics find solace in his strong road performance. He boasts a 6-2 record with a 3.02 ERA in 14 career road starts, a stark contrast to his 3-11 record and 5.91 ERA at Sutter Health Park. The Athletics come into this game with momentum, having secured their third consecutive victory after a dramatic 6-5 extra-innings win. Key contributions from Jeff McNeil, who hit a game-tying home run, and Tyler Soderstrom, who delivered the winning RBI, underscore their recent fighting spirit.
This pivotal game for Soriano and the Angels offers a chance to turn the tide of their recent misfortunes. For Soriano, it's an opportunity to recapture his dominant form and demonstrate the ace-level pitching he showcased earlier in the season, proving his initial success was not an anomaly but a standard he can consistently achieve.
