The Cleveland Guardians (3-4) will face the Los Angeles Angels (4-3) on April 6, 2025, in the final game of their three-game series at Angel Stadium. The Guardians have been struggling to get their season fully underway, having experienced inconsistencies across both offense and defense. Their batting lineup has been led by José Ramírez, who continues to be one of the most reliable players on the team, but the Guardians have not yet been able to generate consistent run support. They are averaging just 4.1 runs per game, placing them in the lower tier of teams offensively. While Ramírez is having another solid season, with a batting average well above .300, the rest of the lineup has not been able to support him effectively. The Guardians have shown moments of power, but they’ve also been susceptible to prolonged slumps, which have been detrimental to their chances in several games. On the mound, Luis Ortiz (0-1, 13.50 ERA) will get the start. Ortiz has had a difficult start to the season, with an ERA well over 10, struggling to command his pitches. The Guardians will need Ortiz to find his control and deliver a much-needed strong outing in this game. Given the struggles in their pitching rotation, the Guardians will rely on Ortiz to give them a chance to win, and if he can’t deliver, the bullpen will be stretched thin. Cleveland’s bullpen has had its ups and downs, and they’ll need to be sharp in late-game situations to avoid giving away games.

In contrast, the Los Angeles Angels have been strong early in the season, posting a 4-3 record. The Angels have been led by their ace, Shohei Ohtani, and slugger Mike Trout, who continues to deliver offensively. The Angels’ offense has been more explosive than the Guardians’, averaging 5.86 runs per game, and they have benefitted from contributions across the lineup. Mike Trout remains the face of the team, providing leadership and consistency, but the addition of players like Nolan Schanuel has added depth to their batting order. The Angels will look for big performances from their star players to power them through this game. On the mound, Tyler Anderson (0-0, 5.40 ERA) will start for the Angels. Anderson has shown potential but has struggled with consistency, posting an ERA higher than what he would prefer. He will need to be more efficient in this game, focusing on command and minimizing walks against a team like the Guardians that can take advantage of base runners. The Angels’ bullpen has been effective so far, and with pitchers like José Quijada and Jimmy Herget at their disposal, they will be ready to close out the game if necessary. The Angels also have a strong defensive lineup, with standout performances in the outfield and infield, making them difficult to break down. Manager Phil Nevin will want to make sure his team executes efficiently, especially in situations where the Guardians could capitalize on mistakes. If the Angels can generate offense from their key players, get a strong performance from Anderson, and close out with their bullpen, they should be able to win the series and solidify their position in the competitive AL West. For the Guardians, this game is a critical opportunity to get back on track, and they will need to find consistent pitching and more support from their lineup to upset the Angels at home.