As the 2026 MLB Spring Training kicks off in earnest, both teams are ramping up their preparations for the new season.
Tomorrow (February 25) at 1:10 PM MST, the LA Angels and San Francisco Giants will face off in a Spring Training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
With both teams declaring a fresh start after a disappointing 2025 season, expectations are high for what they will show in this Spring Training.
The Angels in particular made aggressive offseason acquisitions, while the Giants have built a formidable lineup centered around Rafael Devers.
Game Overview
| Category | Details |
| Date & Time | February 25, 2026 (Wed) 5:10 AM KST |
| Local Time | February 24 (Tue) 1:10 PM MST |
| Venue | Tempe Diablo Stadium (Tempe, Arizona) |
| Home Team | LA Angels |
| Away Team | San Francisco Giants |
| Note | Angels Split Squad Game |
This game will be held at Tempe Diablo Stadium, the Angels' Spring Training home ballpark.
The Angels will operate as a split squad on this day, simultaneously playing an away game against the Colorado Rockies.
Since it's early in Spring Training, regular starters' playing time may be limited, but it will be a great opportunity to get a first look at newly acquired players.
2025 Season Review & Offseason Changes
LA Angels - 10 Consecutive Years Without Postseason, But Seeds of Hope
The Angels finished the 2025 season with a 72-90 record, placing 5th in the American League West.
While they set a heartbreaking record of 10 consecutive years without a postseason appearance, young players like Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel showed notable development.
Zach Neto hit .257 with 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 2025, brightening the team's future, while Mike Trout appeared in just 70 games due to injury but still posted a .232 average with 26 home runs.
• Grayson Rodriguez acquired - Taylor Ward traded to Baltimore
• Josh Lowe acquired - Three-team trade with Tampa Bay
• Alek Manoah signed to 1-year deal - Starting rotation reinforcement
• Yusei Kikuchi retained - Rotation stability
• Jordan Romano, Kirby Yates acquired - Bullpen upgrades
• Anthony Rendon buyout - Payroll flexibility gained
San Francisco Giants - 81-81, A New Beginning
The Giants finished the 2025 season with an 81-81 record, placing 3rd in the National League West.
The biggest storyline was the mid-season trade acquisition of Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox.
Devers hit .236 with 20 home runs in 90 games after joining the Giants, and posted solid overall numbers of 35 home runs and 109 RBIs for the full season.
After the season, manager Bob Melvin was fired, bringing a wave of change to the organization.
• Luis Arraez signed to 1-year deal - Second base reinforcement, contact hitting upgrade
• Harrison Bader signed to 2-year deal - Center field defensive upgrade
• Tyler Mahle acquired - Starting rotation addition
• Adrian Houser acquired - Rotation depth
• Justin Verlander departed - Veteran pitcher vacancy
2025 Season Head-to-Head Record
Last season in interleague play, the Angels and Giants played a total of 3 games, with the Angels winning the series 2-1.
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Result |
| April 18 | Angels | 2 - 0 | Giants | Angels Win |
| April 19 | Angels | 2 - 3 | Giants | Giants Win |
| April 20 | Angels | 5 - 4 | Giants | Angels Win |
All three games were played at the Angels' home ballpark, with the Angels taking the series through a shutout in the first game and a comeback victory in the finale.
The 5-4 comeback win in the final game was a particularly memorable moment for Angels fans.
Angels Projected Starting Lineup
Since it's early in Spring Training, the lineup may differ from the regular season, but let's take a look at the Angels' projected 2026 starting lineup.
| Order | Position | Player | 2025 Key Stats |
| 1 | LF | Josh Lowe | Performed with Tampa Bay |
| 2 | SS | Zach Neto | .257 / 26HR / 26SB |
| 3 | CF | Mike Trout | .232 / 26HR / 64RBI |
| 4 | 1B | Nolan Schanuel | 3rd year, power growth expected |
| 5 | 3B | Yoan Moncada | Re-signed to 1-year deal |
| 6 | 2B | Vaughn Grissom | Looking to bounce back |
| 7 | RF | - | Competition ongoing |
| 8 | C | Logan O'Hoppe | Starting catcher |
| 9 | DH | - | Competition ongoing |
The most noteworthy aspect this year is Mike Trout's position change.
Trout played right field in 2025 before transitioning to designated hitter after a knee injury, but he has announced his plan to return to center field in 2026, a position he says feels more natural to him.
How well Trout handles center field defense during Spring Training will be the first key storyline to watch.
Giants Projected Starting Lineup
| Order | Position | Player | 2025 Key Stats |
| 1 | 2B | Luis Arraez | Contact hitting specialist |
| 2 | RF | Jung-hoo Lee | .266 / 8HR / 55RBI / 10SB |
| 3 | 3B | Rafael Devers | .252 / 35HR / 109RBI |
| 4 | 1B | LaMonte Wade Jr. | Left-handed first baseman |
| 5 | CF | Harrison Bader | 2-year deal, defensive specialist |
| 6 | SS | Tyler Fitzgerald | Shortstop |
| 7 | LF | Michael Conforto | Left fielder |
| 8 | C | Patrick Bailey | Gold Glove catcher |
| 9 | DH | - | Competition ongoing |
The most notable change in the Giants' lineup is Jung-hoo Lee's position switch.
With the signing of Harrison Bader, Lee has moved to right field, which is expected to reduce his defensive burden and allow him to focus more on his hitting.
Additionally, the addition of Luis Arraez at second base has significantly improved the team's overall contact hitting ability.
Starting Pitching Comparison
Since it's early in Spring Training, the starting pitchers for this game have not yet been officially announced.
However, comparing both teams' projected 2026 starting rotations paints an interesting picture.
| Slot | LA Angels | San Francisco Giants |
| No. 1 | Jose Soriano | Logan Webb (15W-11L, ERA 3.22) |
| No. 2 | Grayson Rodriguez | Robbie Ray |
| No. 3 | Yusei Kikuchi | Landen Roupp |
| No. 4 | Reid Detmers | Tyler Mahle (ERA 2.18, Texas) |
| No. 5 | Alek Manoah / Zach Kochanowicz | Adrian Houser |
The Giants' biggest strength is having a clear ace in Logan Webb.
Webb led the National League in strikeouts (224) and innings pitched (207) in 2025, earning an All-Star selection and winning a Gold Glove Award, establishing himself as one of the best pitchers in the league.
On the other hand, the Angels' starting rotation posted the 28th-worst ERA in Major League Baseball in 2025, making bounce-back performances from newly acquired Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah critical.
With Jose Soriano and Yusei Kikuchi being the only pitchers who survived from last season's rotation, the starting pitcher competition during this Spring Training is expected to be extremely intense.
Key Player Analysis
1. Mike Trout (LA Angels)
The health of three-time MVP Mike Trout is the biggest variable that will determine the Angels' 2026 season.
In 2024, he underwent two meniscus surgeries on his knee, and in 2025, he suffered a bone bruise at the surgical site during an April 30 game against Seattle, sidelining him for about a month.
Despite this, he posted a .232 batting average with 26 home runs and an .797 OPS in 70 games, proving his power remains intact.
Having announced his return to center field this Spring Training, it will be a time to closely monitor his defensive movement and knee condition.
2. Zach Neto (LA Angels)
Emerging as the Angels' next franchise star, Zach Neto hit .257 with 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 2025, establishing himself as one of the finest shortstops in team history.
A shoulder injury delayed his season start, and he missed the final two weeks with a hand injury, but his impact over 128 games was remarkable.
If he stays healthy for a full season this year, a 30-30 club achievement is well within reach.
3. Jung-hoo Lee (San Francisco Giants)
Jung-hoo Lee, who came from the Korea Baseball Organization, appeared in 150 games in 2025, posting a .266 batting average with 8 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases.
He led the team in batting average and recorded 31 doubles and 12 triples (3rd in the league), proving his consistent contact ability.
For the 2026 season, his move to right field provides an environment that allows him to focus more on his hitting.
If he shows signs of improved power during Spring Training, double-digit home runs this season could be within reach.
4. Rafael Devers (San Francisco Giants)
Devers, who was traded from Boston to the Giants mid-season in 2025, appeared in 163 games for the full season, posting a .252 batting average with 35 home runs and 109 RBIs.
His 163 games played was the first time a player appeared in that many games since Justin Morneau in 2008, a remarkable feat.
With 112 walks ranking 3rd in Major League Baseball, Devers combines on-base ability with power and is the absolute core of the Giants' lineup.
Regarded as the most fearsome hitter since Barry Bonds, expectations are high for a full-season performance in 2026.
Game Key Points
1. Angels' New Acquisitions' First Adjustment Period
The key question is how quickly newly acquired players like Grayson Rodriguez, Alek Manoah, and Josh Lowe can integrate into the Angels' system.
In particular, Rodriguez was once regarded as the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, so it will be important to see his stuff in a healthy state.
It will also be worth watching whether Josh Lowe can replicate the speed and power he showed in Tampa Bay while wearing an Angels uniform.
2. Giants' Young Pitchers Competing for Rotation Spots
The Giants have young arms like Hayden Birdsong, Blade Tidwell, and Carson Whisenhunt competing for rotation spots.
How they perform in Spring Training could significantly shape the Opening Day roster.
3. Mike Trout's Adjustment Back to Center Field
As mentioned earlier, Trout has expressed his determination to return to center field.
If he takes the field in center early in Spring Training, it would be a positive signal about his knee condition and could give Angels fans great hope.
What to Watch
Korean fans will be most interested in seeing Jung-hoo Lee's first Spring Training appearance.
Having led the team in batting average in 2025 and firmly established himself, this is an opportunity to see how Lee looks at the plate after switching to right field.
It will also be interesting to see what kind of synergy the Angels' aggressive offseason acquisitions create on the actual field.
It would also be worth checking out the Angels' bullpen additions, including the powerful arms of Kirby Yates and Jordan Romano.
Given the nature of Spring Training, starters' playing time will be limited, but it will be a valuable opportunity to gauge conditioning after the offseason and the players' determination heading into the new season.
Game Prediction
It's difficult to place much significance on the outcome of a Spring Training game.
Both teams will be focused on evaluating player conditioning and testing their rosters.
That said, in terms of overall roster strength, the Giants appear to have a more complete lineup built around Devers and Jung-hoo Lee.
For the Angels, the adjustment of their new acquisitions will be key, and if Trout can stay healthy, the season outlook brightens significantly.
Rather than focusing on the win or loss in this game, it's better to pay attention to the players' physical condition and the potential of new combinations on both sides.