Angels to Open Season Against Chicago Cubs

ANAHEIM, CA - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will open their season Monday night against the Chicago Cubs with a new concession stand giving fans the opportunity to build the hot dog of their dreams and an expansion of healthy offerings at Angel Stadium.

Fans can pick from an array of ingredients at Crafty Dawgs, located on the Field Level at Section 127. Its house specialties are the Sonora Dog and the Short Rib Chili Dog.

Muscle Maker and Fresca's stands can be found throughout the stadium in the team's attempt to expand the amount of healthy food choices. Their menus include a Turkey Chili Bowl, The Angel Wrap, and a Kale & Quinoa Salad.

Pregame ceremonies will include the U.S. Army Color Guard unfurling an American flag in the outfield and a flyover by an Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft.

Garrett Anderson will thrown the honorary first pitch to his son Trey. Anderson is the Angels career leader in hits, RBI, runs and doubles and is second in home runs.

Garrett Richards will be the Angels starting pitcher, facing Jake Arrieta, the 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner whose 22 victories were the most in major League Baseball in 2015. Arrieta threw a no-hitter against the Dodgers on Aug. 30 in his most recent pitching appearance in the Los Angeles area.

Monday night's game will be the sixth regular-season game for the Cubs at Angel Stadium and the first since 2013.

The Angels have lost each of their last two season openers after winning a team-record five straight from 2009-2013.

The Angels were 85-77 in 2015, finishing three games behind the American League West Division champion Texas Rangers and one game behind the second wild card team, the Houston Astros.

The Angels 25-player opening day roster includes seven players acquired in the off-season and one rookie, infielder Ji-Man Choi.

First-year general manager Billy Eppler "has done a fantastic job putting this team together," said Mark Gubicza, the analyst on the team's Fox Sports West broadcasts.

"They're going to do some things a little more special this year, going back to a team where (manager) Mike Scioscia can be successful putting guys in motion," Gubicza told City News Service.

Gubicza foresees the Angels being "an exciting club once again, not one of those old school clubs that we saw the last few years, waiting for a three- run home run from Albert (Pujols) or (Mike Trout)."

"Their bullpen is extremely deep," Gubicza said. "The starting pitching staff is getting healthier. Ron Roenicke being back as their third base coach is fantastic."

--City News Service, photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim