Minnesota Twins (0-0) at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (0-0)
MIN: S. Baker (0-0, NA)
LAA: J. Weaver (0-0, NA)
Last year’s AL West Champion Los Angels Angeles of Anaheim will be trying to win their fourth consecutive division title and sixth in the past seven years when they open the 2010 season tonight against the Minnesota Twins at the Big “A” in Anaheim, California tonight.
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The Halos finished the 2009 season winning six of their last seven outings against the Twins, including the final three by a combined 35-15 runs. But this year’s Anaheim club will have some new looks.
The Halos lost two of their remaining three players from the 2002 World Series — pitching ace John Lackey and leadoff hitter Chone Figgins, along with slugger Vladimir Guerrero to free agency in the offseason. In exchange, the Angles added World Series MVP Hideki Matsui from the Yanks to fill the void left by Guerrero, closer Fernando Rodney, number-five starter and 15-game winner Joel Pineiro, and rookie third baseman Brandon Wood.
Veteran centerfielder Torii Hunter, who signed with Los Angeles two years ago after spending his first 10 seasons with Minnesota, will be the Halos go to guy and will most likely bat third or fourth in the lineup. Hunter has struggled against his former club, batting just .190 with 11 strikeouts in 11 games.
Meanwhile in Minnesota, the Twins primary offseason priority was completed by re-signing AL MVP Gold Glove catcher Joe Mauer to a $184 million, eight-year contract extension in March. The 26-year old AL batting champ hit .365 with a career-best 28 home runs and 96 RBIs in 2009 despite starting the season on the disabled list. The Twins also added second baseman Orlando Hudson and veteran Jim Thome, both who played with the Dodgers last season. They middle-of-the-order is rounded out nicely with Justin Morneau, and Jason Kubel.
The Angles are –1-½ favorites with a total of 8 ½ runs.
RHP Jared Weaver will start on the mound for Anaheim. He finished last season 16-8 with a 3.75 ERA, and was 9-3 with a 2.90 ERA at home. Weaver lost his only previous opening day start in 2008 at Minnesota. He’s 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA in six career starts against the Twins.
Minnesota will counter with RHP Scott Baker who went 15-9 with a 4.37 ERA last season. He is, 0-4 with a 5.59 ERA in seven lifetime starts against the Angels.
If Weaver can pitch deep in this one, the Halos may have a chance. However, with the Twins powerful batting lineup, I expect Minnesota to spoil Anaheim’s opener with a win and the UNDER.
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