Jose Soriano, the right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, is scheduled to take the mound on Wednesday, aiming to secure a series victory against the Detroit Tigers. His season has been a narrative of remarkable highs and unexpected challenges, making this upcoming start a pivotal moment for both him and his team.
Soriano's early season performance was nothing short of spectacular, establishing him as one of the league's most dominant starters. Over his initial six appearances, he maintained an impressive 5-0 record, surrendering only a single run across 37 2/3 innings. This period showcased his exceptional control and effectiveness, baffling opposing hitters with his diverse repertoire.
However, the momentum shifted after April. In a late April start, he conceded three runs in five innings against the Chicago White Sox, followed by a challenging outing in early May where the White Sox scored five runs in just four innings. Despite these setbacks, Soriano demonstrated resilience, delivering a stellar performance against Toronto, holding the Blue Jays to one run over 7 2/3 innings.
His journey continued with a bout of wildness against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he allowed six runs despite giving up only one hit, primarily due to issuing six walks. Nevertheless, he rebounded in his most recent start against the Athletics, limiting them to two runs over 6 2/3 innings, a performance that manager Kurt Suzuki lauded, emphasizing Soriano's strong effort and effective pitches, particularly his breaking ball and split-fingers.
Reflecting on his recent outing, Soriano expressed satisfaction with his ability to compete deep into the game, even though the team ultimately fell short in extra innings. He emphasized focusing on positive aspects and controlling what he can on the mound. Historically, Soriano has been effective against the Tigers, not allowing a run in nine career innings across three appearances, although he holds an 0-1 record in those games.
On the opposing side, Detroit's right-hander Casey Mize (2-3, 2.47 ERA) has also delivered strong performances, albeit with limited run support from his team. Mize has allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his eight starts. After returning from an adductor strain, he has recorded consecutive quality starts, but the Tigers' offense has struggled, scoring only one run in each of those games. Mize pitched 6 2/3 innings against Cleveland, giving up two runs in a 3-1 loss, with both runs coming in the third inning from a sequence of three consecutive hits.
Mize acknowledged his frustration with the quick succession of runs but also expressed contentment with completing the seventh inning and limiting the damage. He holds a career record of 3-0 with a 3.76 ERA in five starts against the Angels. The Angels enter Wednesday's game with momentum, having won the series opener 10-6 on Tuesday, marking their fourth consecutive victory, highlighted by Vaughn Grissom's grand slam that erased a late deficit. Despite Kevin McGonigle's three hits for Detroit, the Tigers have lost nine of their last ten games, making this a critical contest for both teams as they vie for a series win.
