Cubs to make first Angel Stadium appearance since 2016

Sep 23, 2023

ANAHEIM (CNS) - The Los Angeles Angels will begin a six-game homestand Tuesday evening that will include the Chicago Cubs' first visit to Angel Stadium since 2016, Pride Night and the team's annual "Christmas in June" celebration.

The Cubs have played seven games at Angel Stadium since 2002, when Major League Baseball began alternating which divisions played each other in interleague play instead of the original format from 1997 to 2001, when teams played against the same division from the other league.

Interleague schedules reverted to having teams play against the same division from the other league in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. All major league teams will play each other annually under the revised schedule format that began this season. Each team will play at each site twice in every four-year span.

Chicago won two of three games at Angel Stadium in 2004, split two games in 2013 and won both games in 2016.

The Cubs are 11-6 all-time against the Angels, including winning two of three games at Wrigley Field in 2019, the most recent meetings between the teams.

The Angels return home following a 3-4 road trip, which concluded Sunday with a 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros to salvage the final game of the four-game series. The Angels (31-30) are third in the five-team American League West, trailing the division-leading Texas Rangers by nine games. They are five games behind the New York Yankees in the race for the American League's third and final wild-card berth.

Chicago (26-32) began a 10-game road trip by splitting four games with the San Diego Padres Friday through Monday. The Cubs are fourth in the National League Central, six games behind the division-leading Pittsburgh Pirates and 5 1/2 games behind Milwaukee in the race for the third and final National League wild-card berth.

Left-hander Tyler Anderson (2-1) will pitch for the Angels while rookie right-hander Hayden Wesneski (2-2) will pitch for Chicago.

The 6:38 p.m. game will be televised by Bally Sports West.

The Angels will hold Pride Night on Wednesday, with pregame festivities taking place in the Gate 5 courtyard. The team is offering a Pride Night ticket package of a discounted ticket and Pride Night-themed Angels caps.

Proceeds from the purchase of each ticket package will benefit OC Pride, the nonprofit organization that conducts the LGBTQ+ Pride Festival and parade, funds community projects, hosts events, raises awareness and "understanding in our incredible LGBTQ+ family," according to its website.

Thursday through Saturday, the Angels will conduct "Christmas in June at the Big A," which includes themed in-game entertainment, stadium decorations, Christmas carolers and opportunities to take pictures with Santa Claus near the Centerfield Rocks.

The first 25,000 fans in attendance Friday will receive an ugly sweater T-shirt.

The Angels will conduct a toy drive Friday for the Angels Baseball Foundation Kids Holiday Party in December. Fans donating an unused toy worth $10 or more for children ages 5-13 under the Gate 3 hat at the main entrance will receive two ticket vouchers to an upcoming game.

The first 25,000 fans in attendance Saturday will receive Christmas slippers.

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