The Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Angels will meet for the finale of their three-game interleague series at Angel Stadium on April 24, 2025, in a matchup that pits a struggling National League squad against a middling American League team trying to solidify its footing early in the season. The Angels, currently 11-11, have split wins and losses evenly but remain encouraged by recent developments in their starting rotation, especially the emergence of left-hander Tyler Anderson, who enters the finale with a 2-0 record and a sterling 2.08 ERA over 21.2 innings pitched. In contrast, the Pirates have faltered to a 9-15 record, weighed down by an inconsistent offense and a rotation in search of stability—challenges epitomized by Thursday’s starter, right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, who carries a 1-3 record and an inflated 7.41 ERA. This game presents a critical opportunity for both teams: the Angels aim to capture the series and get back over the .500 mark, while the Pirates desperately need to avoid another series loss as they attempt to claw their way back into early-season contention. The statistical gap between the two is notable—Los Angeles averages 4.64 runs per game and allows just 3.48, while Pittsburgh scores only 3.63 runs per game and gives up 4.00—underscoring the edge the Angels have enjoyed in balance and execution on both sides of the ball. The Angels enter this game riding a cautious sense of optimism, bolstered by the strength of their pitching and flashes of run support when needed. Anderson has been the anchor they’ve needed, providing quality starts and easing the pressure on a bullpen that has seen frequent usage due to earlier inconsistencies in the rotation. Offensively, the Angels have benefited from the resurgence of Mike Trout’s power bat, even as his batting average (.177) remains well below his career norm—his .494 slugging percentage reminds opponents that he remains a threat with one swing. First baseman Nolan Schanuel has also stepped up, delivering a .275 average and getting on base at a respectable clip, giving the lineup more shape and depth.

The key for Los Angeles in this matchup will be to continue their patient approach at the plate against Mlodzinski, who has struggled with command and has been vulnerable to early damage. If they can push his pitch count, take advantage of mistakes in the zone, and protect an early lead, the Angels could rely on their bullpen to manage the late innings and close the series in convincing fashion. Defensively, they’ve been steady, and home-field advantage at Angel Stadium—especially with the way Anderson has pitched—offers an ideal environment to secure the win and build momentum heading into their next stretch of games. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, enters this game seeking answers to a frustrating start to 2025. With just nine wins in their first 24 games, the Pirates have shown brief flashes of potential but have too often been undermined by poor pitching performances and a lineup that struggles to convert baserunners into runs. Oneil Cruz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have been among the few bright spots, with Cruz supplying power (a .486 slugging percentage) and Kiner-Falefa contributing contact and consistency with a .293 average. However, the lack of depth in the batting order and minimal power production from the rest of the roster have made it difficult for the Pirates to put pressure on opposing pitchers or extend innings. Mlodzinski, despite glimpses of promise, has not found consistency in his delivery or command, and unless he can keep walks to a minimum and limit hard contact, he’s unlikely to offer the kind of length needed to ease the burden on a bullpen that has been heavily taxed already this month. If Pittsburgh is to salvage this series and take something positive back on the road, it will require a collective effort: sharper defense, early offense, and a start from Mlodzinski that at least keeps the team within reach into the later innings. Anything less, and the Pirates could once again find themselves overwhelmed in a matchup that leans heavily in favor of the more balanced and better-performing Angels squad.