ANAHEIM, Calif – Kyle Tucker’s status as an Angel killer is the stuff of legend at this point in his career.
In 81 career games against the Angels Tucker has a .294 batting average with 69 RBIs and 27 home runs with an OPS of 1.030. His 27 home runs are tied with Marcus Semien for the second-most against the Angels among active players, behind only George Springer, who has 30.
There is a common theme between that list of famous Angel foes, all current or former members of the American League West. Naturally, players within the same division are likely to have the most experience against each other, something that was even more common before a league-wide schedule change in 2023 reduced the total games between division rivals in in favor of more diverse schedules and more interleague play. And with the Astros having been as successful as they were in the 2010’s and have continued to be in the ’20s, the Angels have been natural targets for their wrath, and Tucker’s in particular.
Justin Mendez-The Sporting Tribune
Chicago Cubs Outfielder Kyle Tucker (30) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo-homerun against
“Obviously, a lot of his success comes against us, but he [Tucker] has success against everybody,” Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “We just happen to be the unfortunate recipient of seeing him in the division for so long. He’s a talented player. You have to be really careful with him in every juncture.”
Tucker may not a member of the Astros any more since he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2024, but the 4x All-Star added another chapter in his long history of success against Los Angeles on Saturday night.
After hitting one home run from the night before, Tucker belted two more long balls, a solo shot in the second inning and a three-run-blast to center field that cemented the blowout for the Cubs.
Reese McGuire has a career night
Tucker wasn’t the only Cub lighting up the scoreboard. Catcher Reese McGuire tied his career high in single-game RBIs Saturday night with five, a total he coincidentally reached the first time at Angel Stadium as well, that time as a member of the Boston Red Sox. McGuire drove in most of those runs Saturday night in extravagant fashion with a grand slam slam in the fourth inning. McGuire and Tucker combined for 10 of Chicago’s 12 runs in the 12-1 blowout of Los Angeles.
Home runs have been the story of Chicago’s two wins so far this series against the Angels. In addition to Saturday’s bout, two solo home runs scored the majority of Chicago’s runs in the first game of the series, including a well-timed shot by outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong off closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth to decide the game.
Angels injuries after the game
Several Angel players came down with injuries of some kind throughout Saturday’s game. Nolan Schanuel left the game in the sixth inning due to left wrist soreness. Schanuel said postgame that the wrist had been bothering him for about a week and was aggravated when he dived for a ball at first base. After he felt sore swinging the bat it was decided that he would be subbed out and replaced with Nico Kavada. Schanuel will have his wrist tested tomorrow, he said.
Pitcher Carson Fulmer came in for 1.1 innings between the sixth and seventh and gave up six runs on seven hits. Fulmer stated that “felt some stuff” in his elbow and will be available for testing tomorrow as well.