The Los Angeles Angels (2-4) and New York Yankees (3-3) will open up a three-game American League series on Friday afternoon inside Yankee Stadium in the Bronx

Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees

Los Angeles was unable to hold a six-run lead in dropping a 10-9 decision to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, ultimately leading to the club losing its first road series of the 2012 campaign.  “We didn’t close some doors when we had the opportunity to,” stated Angels manager Mike Scioscia.  The Angels are 4-13 in their last 17 games in the Bronx, while going 4-11 all-time inside the new Yankee Stadium.  Los Angeles is 78-88 on the road and the “over” is 81-76 in those contests the last two-plus seasons.

Angels starting pitcher Ervin Santana (0-1, 7.94 ERA) was handed a 7-3 home loss by the Kansas City Royals in his first start of the year, allowing six runs (five earned) and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.  The right-hander will be making his 13th career start versus the Yankees, coming in with an even 5-5 mark and 5.55 ERA, as he’s surrendered 18 home runs in 71.1 innings.  Santana will toeing the rubber inside this venue for just the second time, giving up five runs and eight hits in 5.2 frames in his first go around.

New York returns home after an off day and has gone 72-36-1 all-time in home openers, including wins in 13 of its last 14 chances.  The Yankees bounced back from an 0-3 start to the season down in Tampa Bay, sweeping the Baltimore Orioles in three games, with two of the victories coming in extra innings.  The club will begin its fourth season inside its current venue, as it has posted a 161-82 record inside the walls in the first three years.  New York is 19-23 when playing after an off day the last two-plus campaigns.

Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (0-1, 6.35 ERA) will make his second start for his new team, picking up an 8-6 road loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on April 7.  The right-hander enjoyed a solid spring, posting a 2-1 record and 2.92 ERA in six outings.  Kuroda is no stranger to facing the Angels due to his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, as he’ll make his fourth career start against them.  He has registered a 1-2 record and 2.45 ERA in those outings.

Bettors will likely back the Yankees due to their 35-16 mark as a home favorite, while the Angels are 0-5 in Santana’s last five starts.

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