This story was originally published by Dead Spin
The Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays will wrap up their three-game series Wednesday night in Anaheim, Calif., with neither team having much reason to keep an eye on the standings.
Out of the pennant race, the focus for both teams is on the future and developing younger players who are getting an opportunity now.
Blue Jays second baseman Will Wagner made his major league debut Monday and went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in his team’s 4-2 victory. He followed that in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over the Angels with a pair of doubles and two RBIs.
The son of former major league closer Billy Wagner, he is another in a long line of Blue Jays who have fathers who played in the big leagues.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (son of Vladimir) and Daulton Varsho (son of Gary) were in the starting lineup in Tuesday’s game.
Bo Bichette (son of Dante) is on the injured list, and Cavan Biggio (son of Craig) played five-plus seasons with Toronto before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in June.
“I did think it was pretty cool where just everyone has come through and had some history with the big leagues,” Wagner said. “I mean, it’s a little bit different when your dad’s already had big-league time, and you’re kind of going through the system. They kind of know what you go through on a daily basis, so it’s good to talk to those guys.”
In Wagner’s first major league at-bat on Monday, he hit the first pitch he saw for a double. He followed that with an RBI single in the next inning.
“I don’t know if it could have gone any better,” Wagner said. “I was just happy we got the win. That was the biggest part. I just wanted to have good vibes in the clubhouse after the game and celebrate as a team.”
Right-hander Jose Berrios (10-9, 3.97 ERA) will make his 25th start of the season on Wednesday for the Blue Jays as they go for a sweep of the Angels.
Berrios is coming off a victory in his last start after allowing one run in seven innings in a 3-1 win against Oakland on Friday. He is 2-5 with a 6.31 ERA in nine career starts against the Angels.
Left-hander Tyler Anderson (9-10, 2.99 ERA) will make his 24th start of the season for the Angels. Easily the team’s best pitcher this season, Anderson is coming off a 9-4 win against the New York Yankees on Thursday after allowing one run on three hits in six innings. He’s 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA in three career starts versus the Blue Jays.
Shortstop Zach Neto, 23, continues to be a bright spot among the Angels’ up-and-coming young players. He has thrived since manager Ron Washington elevated him to the second spot in the batting order.
Since being moved to that slot on Aug. 3, Neto is hitting .390 (16-for-41) with eight extra-base hits in 10 games. He went 3-for-4 on Tuesday.
“Ever since I got moved to the second hole, I feel like I get to see more at-bats, more pitches, which has helped me be able to see and recognize the pitches early,” Neto said. “I feel like that’s a good reason why I’ve been having a lot of success and just getting more comfortable there.”
–Field Level Media
