The Los Angeles Angels have had several issues during this season, but starting pitching has been a decade-long issue.

Entering Tuesday, the Angels ranked 28th in the majors with a 4.85 earned run average.

Right-hander José Soriano and left-hander Tyler Anderson have been the two successful pitchers in the rotation which raises the question of what general manager Perry Minasian will do for next season now that he has a new two-year contract extension.

“We’re going to look at everything,” Minasian said. “It’s obviously an area we need to improve. We’re going to need internal improvement, no matter what. You’re not going to replace an entire rotation.”

Soriano and his 3.42 ERA has been an unexpectedly positive development for the Angels this season, while Anderson is pitching better than he has in seven of his eight previous seasons.

The 25-year-old Soriano is in his first season as a full-time starter and has used his sinker to his advantage.

“It’s his bread and butter,” Washington said in July after a 5-1 win over Seattle. “He has other pitches to equalize things, like his splitter and curveball, but the sinker is his pitch. He got 10 ground balls, so it was an outstanding outing for him.”

Anderson has provided much-needed stability in the rotation and has been incredibly valuable for the organization through its struggles.

“It’s very valuable,” manager Ron Washington said after Sunday’s 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. “And he’s been doing it all year. I must say, up until today, I think our pitching has been holding their own. It’s just, we haven’t been able to support them with runs. Today, [our relievers] gave up some runs, but up until today, I mean, they’ve been keeping us in ballgames and giving us a chance.”

In Anderson’s 26th start of the season, the two earned runs allowed brought his ERA to 3.41 over 158.1 innings — the seventh-highest innings total in the AL.

The Angels will be without left-hander Patrick Sandoval (torn flexor tendon and UCL) and right-hander Chase Silseth (elbow surgery) until next season while Soriano (right arm fatigue) isn’t expected back until September.

The rotation begins with Anderson and Soriano next year and could be filled in with several free agents. Right-hander Corbin Burnes (Baltimore) headlines the class. Left-handers Max Fried (Atlanta) and Blake Snell (San Francisco), who has an opt-out clause, could also be available.

Shane Bieber (Cleveland) represents a bounceback candidate. He could be an intriguing play for Minasian, who signed Zach Plesac to a minor-league contract last winter under the same premise.

Meanwhile, the most sought-after pitcher on the trade market is expected to be Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Two of the top four teams in the American League – the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals – conclude their key four-game series on Wednesday. First pitch today is at 1:10 p.m. Eastern and you can watch for free on Bally Sports Great Lakes.

If you don’t have cable but would like to watch the Guardians, you can get free streams from Fubo or DirecTV Stream. Each offer a free trial to new users.

The third game of the series took place on Tuesday night, and was stopped for some time due to a rain delay. But once it resumed, Kansas City continued to keep a hold on the Guardians as the Royals won 6-1, taking a 3-0 lead in this series in Cleveland.

Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer during the top of the second inning, and the Royals later scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning.

David Fry scored the Guardians’ only run of the game during the bottom of the fourth inning, keeping from a potential shutout.

But furthermore, the Guardians’ grasp on first place in the AL Central has nearly faded, as both them and Kansas City are tied for first in the division. Whoever wins Wednesday’s game at Progressive Field will take hold of first place in the AL Central.

Here’s more details on how you can watch today’s matchup. You can also tune in for free via Fubo or DirecTV Stream to see Wednesday afternoon’s series finale on Bally Sports.

Here’s how you can watch:

What: Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians

When: Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024

Time: 1:10 p.m. Eastern

Channel: Bally Sports Great Lakes

Where: Progressive Field | Cleveland, OH

Pitching matchup: Royals RHP Michael Wacha (11-6, 3.32 ERA) vs. Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (10-6, 3.46 ERA)

Best Streaming Options: FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial).

Channel finder if you have cable: You can access the channel by using the channel finders online: Verizon Fios, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV and Dish.

Here is more background from Tuesday night’s game by Joe Noga of cleveland.com:

Incoming storms halted play between the Guardians and Royals on Tuesday with Kansas City leading the Guardians in the middle of the fifth inning by a 2-1 score.

Paul DeJong’s two-run home run off Cleveland starter Gavin Williams put the Royals in front in the second inning. Cleveland cut into the KC lead with an RBI single from Lane Thomas in the fourth.

Williams struck out Bobby Witt Jr with two runners on base to end the top of the fifth. As soon as Cleveland’s defense walked off the field, grounds crews rolled out the tarp, and a delay began at 8:06 p.m.