What We Learned from the Freeway Series Finale

Facing a solid Dodgers lineup, the last two pitchers in the Angels rotation fared well last night. With pitching being the Angels biggest question heading into the 2026 regular season it was a good sign to see both Jack Kochanowicz and Ryan Johnson blank the Blue Crew.

It was not all perfect at Chavez Ravine, but there are some things the Angels can learn from the finale of the Freeway series.

Jack Kochanowicz's mechanical adjustment continues to improve his game.

3 innings pitched, 0 earned runs allowed, 4 strikeouts and 0 walks is an impressive line this early in the season. Kochanowicz did that against a group that included Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. Even regulars like Will Smith and Max Muncy were in the Dodgers starting lineup.

Kochanowicz started his evening by striking out Ohtani. In the second he sat Smith and Muncy down back to back. He made it three in a row by striking out Teoscar Hernandez to start the bottom of the third inning.

By staying more upright, Kochanowicz has changed his arm slot a bit and is getting more downward movement on his pitches. So far it is delivering solid result. Now that those results are coming against quality opposition they are looking like they might continue.

Strikeouts continue to be a major problem.

Last season the Angels led the Majors in strikeouts and nearly set the all time team record. Giving away free outs is a great way to lose ballgames and the Angels did plenty of both in 2025.

Granted, Shohei Ohtani is an incredible pitcher but when 8 of the first 10 hitters take a K that is normally a recipe for a loss. The Angels started their A team for the most part so there's no excuse for that many K's.

Ryan Johnson is effectively wild...sometimes.