The Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels close out their four-game set on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Angel Stadium with the Tigers entering with a 2-1 series advantage and looking to build on what has been one of the most balanced and surprising starts in the American League, while the Angels aim to salvage a series split and end their homestand on a positive note after a string of uneven performances. Detroit comes into this game with a 21-13 record, sitting atop the AL Central behind a combination of deep starting pitching, timely hitting, and vastly improved situational execution compared to recent seasons. Spencer Torkelson has emerged as the cornerstone of the offense with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs, backed by steady contributions from Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter, and the Tigers have become particularly dangerous in the early innings, hitting their first-five-innings team total over in 19 of their last 28 games, a trend that underscores their aggressive approach and ability to strike early. On the mound, right-hander Reese Olson will get the start for Detroit, bringing a 3-2 record with a 3.55 ERA into the contest and providing quality innings nearly every time out with his command-heavy arsenal and ability to work efficiently through lineups. Meanwhile, the Angels limp into this matchup at 13-19 and have struggled to find consistency both on the mound and at the plate, winning just 7 of the 22 games they’ve entered as underdogs this season, an indicator of their inability to rise to the occasion when expectations are low. Jack Kochanowicz will toe the rubber for Los Angeles and enters with a 1-4 record and a 5.29 ERA over 32.1 innings, with control issues and lack of swing-and-miss stuff leaving him vulnerable against lineups that can grind out at-bats like Detroit’s.

Offensively, Mike Trout remains the Angels’ primary threat, with 9 home runs and 18 RBIs, but the supporting cast has failed to step up consistently, leaving too much weight on his shoulders in a lineup that lacks depth and has struggled with runners in scoring position. Defensively, the Tigers have been crisp, supporting their pitchers with efficient infield play and limiting extra-base hits in the outfield, while the Angels have often hurt themselves with mental lapses and untimely errors. With Detroit’s recent dominance when favored—going 13-3 on the moneyline in those situations—and the Tigers sending their most consistent starter to the mound, the edge on paper heavily tilts in their direction, particularly if Olson can navigate through the middle of the Angels order without giving up the long ball. The Tigers’ bullpen has also been solid in preserving leads, while the Angels’ relievers have struggled to keep games close late, another factor that could be pivotal in the final frames. For the Angels to steal a win, they’ll need Kochanowicz to deliver his best outing of the year, the offense to strike early, and the defense to avoid mistakes that have plagued them all season—otherwise, Detroit is well-positioned to walk away with a series win and further establish themselves as a legitimate playoff threat in the American League.