Game No. 3: Los Angeles Angels (0-2) vs. Seattle Mariners (2-0)

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong for the Los Angeles Angels in 2014 They are 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position and hold an AL-worst 8.50 team ERA through two games. In danger of being swept by a division rival, the Angels also face their worst start since 1992 (0-4). Tonight, newly acquired Hector Santiago has the burden of saving face against the suddenly overpowering Seattle Mariners offense.

Pitching Matchup– Hector Santiago (0-0) vs. James Paxton (0-0)

Santiago arrives in Anaheim after compiling a 4-9 record with the Chicago White Sox last year. The lefty posted a 3.56 ERA through 149 innings in his first full MLB season and led team starters in games pitched, largely in part to time spent as a reliever.

Aside from the typical repertories of pitches, Santiago also utilizes the rarely-seen screwball. It’s movement is more devastating to right-handed batters who account for 65 percent of Santiago’s career strikeout total. The Mariners, however, aren’t strangers to Santiago’s signature pitch. The 26-year-old has allowed three walks and three earned runs in six relief appearances.

Paxton is one of Seattle’s top pitching prospects and makes the Opening Day roster with a sold spring; yielding four runs in four starts while maintaining a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Paxton was more impressive during his call up last September, going 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA trough 24 innings.

Walk offs:

The Angels open a season with a 0-2 record for the first time since 2001.
Santiago landed with the Angels in a three-team trade that send Mark Trumbo to Arizona.
Seattle leads the AL in runs (18), home runs (3), and RBIs (18).

Forecast: A stray shower is possible, mostly clear

TV: 7:05 p.m. PT, Fox Sports West, ROOT Sports

Radio: KLAA 830, 710 ESPN