Mariners’ Bryan Woo Set to Return for Start Against Angels
The Seattle Mariners‘ formidable pitching staff, rather than their subpar offense, was the Los Angeles Angels‘ primary concern prior to the start of the current four-game series. However, the Mariners prevailed 11-0 over the Angels on Thursday in Anaheim, California, thanks to the strength of both aspects. Friday night’s game features an intriguing pitching matchup.
Mariners’ Recent Performance
In spite of positioning rearward in the major league in hits (681) and batting normal (.220), and having struck out more than some other group (979), the Mariners’ pitching staff drives the American League with a 3.47 Time. On Thursday, Seattle’s offense emitted for 15 hits and 11 runs, while their pitchers restricted the Angels to only five hits.
“There wasn’t too much mystery to it,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “If you look at the overall game, they got 15 hits and 11 runs.”
Bryan Woo’s Return
The challenge for the Angels continues as the Mariners plan to activate right-hander Bryan Woo from the injured list to start on Friday. Woo (3-1, 1.77 ERA) has not pitched in the majors since June 24, when he left a game against the Tampa Bay Rays after just three-plus innings due to a hamstring strain. This led to Woo’s second stint on the injured list this season.
On Saturday, Woo made a rehab start for Class-A Everett, throwing 45 pitches, 28 for strikes. He gave up a homer but was pleased to complete the outing pain-free, declaring himself ready to return.
“My hamstring feels good,” Woo said. “Really excited about how everything went. I was able to get through it — no bumps, no anything. So yeah — all good.”
Woo also mentioned working on a new slider.
“I was trying to throw it a lot,” Woo said. “I’ve been throwing the two fastballs a lot this year, but I’m always trying to refine the off-speed stuff and make them a little bit more effective. But overall, I’m really happy with how (the rehab start) went.”
Woo has been particularly effective against the Angels. In four career starts against Los Angeles, he has posted a 1.61 ERA over 22 1/3 innings, striking out 23 while walking only three. In his last start against the Angels on May 31, Woo pitched six shutout innings of three-hit ball in Seattle, earning a no-decision in a game the Mariners eventually won 5-4.
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Angels’ Counter with Tyler Anderson
The Angels will counter Woo with their only All-Star, left-hander Tyler Anderson, who was named to his second All-Star Game on Sunday. Anderson (8-8, 2.81 ERA) is coming off one of the most dominant starts of his nine-year career. On Saturday, he held the Chicago Cubs to just three singles over eight scoreless innings, striking out 10 without issuing a walk.
Anderson, a 34-year-old veteran, is enjoying a bounce-back season after posting a 5.43 ERA during his first season with the Angels in 2023.
“I changed my routine, getting my body in a better position than I was last year,” Anderson said. “I feel like last year I kind of got away from that. I was trying to change some things and worried about a lot of the wrong stuff. This year, I kind of trust what I know and stick with that.”
In any case, Anderson has had blended results against the Mariners, with a 1-2 record and a 5.25 Time in five profession begins against them.
Conclusion
The Mariners and Angels are set for a compelling battle as Bryan Woo returns to strengthen Seattle’s already formidable pitching rotation and Tyler Anderson aims to maintain his dominant form. The two pitchers have something to demonstrate, making Friday night’s down an exceptionally expected matchup in this four-game series.