The Los Angeles Angels look to begin their season on a high note, as opening day takes them to Kansas City to face the Royals. Jered Weaver gets the start for the Angels, hoping to pick up where he left off last season. Weaver was 13-12 last season with a 3.01 ERA in a career-high 224 1/3 innings, and he led the majors with 233 strikeouts. This is the third opening day start for Weaver.
Today's 1:10 p.m. PDT game will be televised on Fox Sports West. Victor Rojas and Mark Gubicza are on the call.
The Angels open their season with six players on the disabled list, including Kendrys Morales, Scott Downs, and Joel Pineiro, although Pineiro is expected to be activated within a week or so. Filling in for Morales will be Mark Trumbo, who led the team in plate appearances, home runs (six) and RBI (20) during the spring, hitting .297/.316/.662. Trumbo hit 36 home runs for Triple A Salt Lake last season.
Luke Hochevar gets the start for the Royals, who lost 95 games last season and have lost 958 games over the last 10 seasons. The Angels won seven of 10 matchups with the Royals last season. Kansas City has newcomers Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur roaming the outfield, as placeholders waiting for baseball's best farm system to ripen.
For more Angels news and information on today's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Halos Heaven.