Angels Announce Big Pitching Rotation Changes Ahead of Red Sox Series

Preparing for a big stretch of games.

Your Los Angeles Angels took home a big series win over the Minnesota Twins this weekend and it was all capped off by their 3-2 victory on Sunday. It all started with some elite pitching from Shohei Ohtani as he allowed only one run and struck out nine of their batters.

Ohtani continues to provide nothing but excellence at the mound and LA is already preparing for their next series against the Boston Red Sox, one in which The Unicorn will not be pitching. Chase Silseth was originally slated to start in the first matchup on Monday but there has been a change of plans.

Team manager Phil Nevin has opted to put Jaime Barria in his spot instead and move Silseth back to the bullpen. The news was first announced by the MLB's Rhett Bollinger.

Jaime Barria will start tomorrow. Chase Silseth is going back to the bullpen. Nevin said they like him as a high-leverage reliever

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) May 21, 2023

Barria has always been given starting opportunities with the franchise here and there since joining back in 2018 but this time could possibly be when he cements his place in the rotation.

He has been nothing short of excellent in the ten games he's played this season as he's posted a 1.96 ERA and has struck out 21 batters. I really like that Barria has been patient and waited his turn, even when some analysts were calling for him to get moved up when Jose Suarez got injured.

GRAN ACTUACIÓN de Jaime Barría haciendo como relevista 🔥.
2.2EL, 2H, 0CL, 0BB, 1K, 1.96PCL pic.twitter.com/dv6KFO6KkI

— MLBPTY (@mlbptyoficial) May 18, 2023

As for Chase Silseth, he has played just five games for the Halos this year and hasn't gotten of to the most electric of starts. His 5.40 ERA has prompted Nevin to believe that he should be put back in the bullpen.

Silseth has thrived in this position before so hopefully Barria is able to display the length in games that he could not.

Chase Silseth, Nasty 83mph Splitter. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/rK1eEUHxkB

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 16, 2023

We'll be able to get an early look at how both of these changes fare immediately in game one of their new series against Boston.

The Halos now sit two games above .500 and need every victory they can get in order to creep up on the Texas Rangers once again for that number one spot. Boston is trying to fight and climb their own tough division so it will not be an easy one.

We'll see everybody tomorrow at 6:38 pm PT.