Red-hot Padres Aim to Slow Down Mike Trout, Angels

San Diego brings eight-game winning streak to Anaheim for three-game series against Los Angeles

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels, with the players and ball deconstructed into abstract shapes and planes of vibrant colors.The Padres and Angels square off in a high-stakes series, with both teams riding hot streaks and looking to gain an early advantage in the standings.Anaheim Today

The San Diego Padres will take the majors' longest active winning streak into Anaheim, California, on Friday night when they open a three-game series against the hot-hitting Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels. The Padres have won eight straight games, while the Angels are coming off a split of a four-game series against the New York Yankees that saw Trout hit five home runs.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the hottest teams in baseball right now. The Padres have surged after a slow start, while the Angels have been buoyed by Trout's power surge. The series could provide an early-season barometer for both clubs as they look to establish themselves as contenders in their respective divisions.

The details

The Padres will activate right-hander Matt Waldron from the injured list to start the series opener against Angels ace Jose Soriano, who has been dominant so far this season with a 0.33 ERA. San Diego's bullpen has been a strength, led by closer Mason Miller, who has not allowed a run since August 2025. The Angels are coming off a split of a four-game series against the Yankees in which Trout became the first opposing player to hit five home runs in a series at Yankee Stadium.

  • The series opener is scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • The Padres have won eight straight games heading into the series.
  • Trout hit five home runs in the Angels' four-game series against the Yankees.

The players

Mike Trout

A three-time American League MVP, Trout is off to a hot start this season for the Angels, hitting seven home runs and driving in 16 runs.

Jose Soriano

The Angels' right-hander has been the majors' ERA leader so far this season, posting a 0.33 ERA in 27 innings pitched.

Mason Miller

The Padres' closer has not allowed a run since August 2025 and has a scoreless innings streak of 30 2/3 frames, just three shy of the franchise record.

Matt Waldron

The Padres' right-hander will be activated from the injured list to make the start in the series opener against the Angels.

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What they’re saying

“Not the start we wanted necessarily, but we know the group we have, and we're playing at a high level right now.”

— Mason Miller, Padres Pitcher

“It means a lot to me. There's been a lot of great players that obviously played here. It's awesome.”

— Mike Trout

“Fun series. Obviously lost a couple tough ones, but glad we got that bounce-back from last night after that tough ninth inning. We took ownership of it, and we turned the page. Just turn the page and keep fighting. We have a great mindset in there, we're close in there, and we're just going to keep pushing and take it one game at a time.”

— Mike Trout

What’s next

The Padres and Angels will play the second game of their three-game series on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The takeaway

This series features two of the hottest teams in baseball right now, with the Padres riding an eight-game winning streak and the Angels buoyed by the power surge of superstar Mike Trout. The outcome of this series could provide an early-season barometer for both clubs as they look to establish themselves as contenders in their respective divisions.