Mariners vs Angels: Castillo vs Johnson

0:00It's April 5th. Welcome to MLB News today, powered by AI and ready for first pitch. Mariners sitting at four wins and five losses, facing off against the Angels, also 4 and 5, down in Anaheim this Sunday at 407 pm. Eastern Time. Luis Castillo takes the mound for Seattle with a spotless 0 and 0 record, 0.00 ERA, and just seven strikeouts so far. Angels counter with Ryan Johnson, 0 and 1, rough 16.20 ERA. Betting line has Mariners as favorites at minus 161, Angels plus 135, total runs over under nine and a half. Series is tied one game to one after the first two matchups, keeping things tight heading into the rubber game. Last season, Angels finished 72 and 90 overall, 39 and 42 at home, averaging 4.2 runs scored but leaking five. Point two, Mariners were stronger at 90 and 72, solid 39 and 42 on the road.

1:02Injuries are hitting both squads hard, impacting lineups big time. Angels missing curbiates on the 15 day IL, with a knee issue, Robert Stephenson out 60 days for Elbow, plus a bunch more like Anthony Rendon, with hip trouble and Benjoy's shoulder sideline. Angels dealing with Brendan Donovan day-to-day leg, Bryce Miller, 15 day oblique, and others stacking up on the IL list. Early season vibes show Mariners leaning on their hitting, averaging 8.3 hits per game last year, with three extra base knocks. Angels got a tight defense to hang in this one. With Castillo dealing sharp and Seattle's bats clicking, expect a gritty battle that could swing the series, keep an eye on how those injury gaps play, out on the field.