BASEBALL: Mike Trout returning to form as Angels visit Alex Bregman, Cubs

A rejuvenated Mike Trout is set to lead the visiting Los Angeles Angels into a three-game series against the host Chicago Cubs on Monday.

The 34-year-old center fielder, a three-time American League MVP, has battled several injury-plagued seasons. So far in 2026, Trout is off to a blazing start, posting a .462 batting average with two home runs and three RBIs in four games.

On Opening Day in Houston last Thursday, Trout homered and stole a base in a 3-0 Angels win. He followed that performance on Friday by launching a solo shot and going 3-for-4 in a 6-2 victory over the Astros.

"I'm having good at-bats and am getting into a position where I can succeed," Trout said after his Opening Day homer. "Trusting the work I do in the cage paid off."

Opponents have taken notice, with Trout drawing seven walks early in the season.

Despite Trout’s hot start, Los Angeles dropped both games over the weekend, 11-9 and 9-7, splitting the four-game series in Houston.

"You can argue it was a good series with the back and forth," Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said Sunday. "That's a good pitching team, and our hitters battled them, made them throw, and knocked their starters out early, just like they did to us. We would have liked to have our starters go deeper, but sometimes you just have to grind it out and find a way. Unfortunately, we came up on the losing side twice."

Rookie right-hander Ryan Johnson (1-1, 7.36 ERA in 2025) is expected to make his first career start for the Angels. The 23-year-old appeared in 14 games out of the bullpen last season, allowing 24 hits and five walks with 16 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings.

For Chicago, Edward Cabrera (8-7, 3.53 ERA in 2025), who was traded from the Miami Marlins in January, is slated to make his first start for the Cubs.

The Cubs began their six-game homestand by dropping two of three games to the Washington Nationals. On Sunday, Chicago fell 6-3 despite strong performances from new acquisition Alex Bregman. The three-time All-Star third baseman, who signed a five-year, $175 million contract in the offseason, hit two solo home runs while Ian Happ added his second homer in as many games.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell highlighted Bregman’s patience at the plate as a key strength.

"He's a very good hitter and is very selective in looking for his pitch," Counsell said. "When he gets it, he puts a good swing on it. When he gets pitches to do damage with, he puts the ball in the air the right way. He's been very locked in since Day One."

Counsell also emphasized the need for more base runners to maximize the Cubs' offensive potential.

"We couldn't put men on base in front of our home runs," he said. "But it's good to see Alex get a couple of good swings, put a couple on the board, and get things going."

The Angels and Cubs are set to open their three-game series on Monday, with Trout and Bregman looking to continue their early-season form.

—Field Level Media/Reuters