Instead of Paul Skenes, Halos fans get to see the Bucs' Carmen Mlodzinski before their team has to rush to the airport for a late flight to Minneapolis that won't arrive until Friday morning. Now, Mlodzinski and his 7.41 ERA should be a lot more palatable than Skenes for the Angels, who should have an edge with Tyler Anderson (2.08 ERA) on the mound, especially as the Halos have won all four of his starts. But the Bucs are bossing this series, rapping out a 29-7 hit edge in wins the past two nights as the Angels' free-swinging offense has stalled. Derek Shelton also isn't expecting Mlodzinski to go deep and will have his bullpen at the ready. Play Pirates on Money Line

This is a prime spot for the Angels' bats to wake up. Converted reliever Carmen Mlodzinski is struggling as the Pirates' fifth starter, getting hit hard in three of his four starts. He did not strike out anyone last time out against Cleveland and has allowed an expected batting average of .316 this season. The Angels are countering with Tyler Anderson; he has not allowed a run in his last two starts covering 11.2 innings. Back LA in the first five.

Carmen Mlodzinski didn't strike out anybody in four innings in his last start against Cleveland, but struck out at least four in his first three starts and today he faces an Angels offense with the second-highest K rate in baseball.