Angels Getting Closer to Naming Opening Day Starter

Who will start for the Angels on Opening Day?

The Los Angeles Angels have yet to name who their Opening Day starter will be, but it appears that Griffin Canning is on track to get the start.

Angels manager Ron Washington admitted that on the calendar, it "looks like" Canning will start. However, Washington has not officially made the decision, via Jeff Fletcher of the OC Register.

Through Cactus League action so far, Canniing has pitched 8.1 innings and struck out eight batters. He's allowed 11 hits, five walks and two earned runs, for a 2.16 ERA. Canning is once again getting a Spring Training start on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

This will be the fifth season Canning is pitching for the Angels, five years after making his major league debut in 2019. This is also Canning's second season back from a back fracture that caused him to miss the entire 2022 season.

Overall, Canning has a career 4.58 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. In his latest campaign in 2023, Canning appeared in the most games and made the most starts of his career, starting 22 games. He put together a 4.32 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP.

If the Angels opt to start another pitcher on Opening Day, it could be Tyler Anderson, Patrick Sandoval, Chase Silseth or Reid Detmers. This pitcher will kick the team's season off on March 28. The Angels begin the season on the road against the Baltimore Orioles.