Los Angeles @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2013 ) LA Angels 3, Cincinnati 1

After playing 13 innings on Opening Day, the Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds likely welcomed Tuesday’s day off. Los Angeles won the opener 3-1, but the Reds lost more than the game when left fielder Ryan Ludwick damaged the labrum in his right shoulder while sliding into third base in the third inning. Ludwick will need surgery and is expected to miss the next three months, forcing manager Dusty Baker to adjust his lineup when the three-game series resumes on Wednesday in Cincinnati.

Chris Heisey, who hit .265 with seven homers last year, is expected to see more playing time with Ludwick out. Adjusting the batting order will be the hard part. “We don’t have the depth of some of the bigger-market teams, so one big injury could be trouble," Reds owner Bob Castellini told WLW Radio. Ludwick's injury overshadowed an impressive performance by Angels catcher Chris Iannetta, who homered and drove in all three of his team’s runs.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West, Fox Sports Ohio

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (2012: 13-10, 3.83 ERA) at Reds RH Mat Latos (14-4, 3.48)

Wilson is looking for a strong start after having bone chips removed from his left elbow during the offseason. The 32-year-old Wilson proclaimed himself healthy during spring training, when he posted a 7.11 ERA in four starts. "I feel really good," he told the Daily Pilot. "I'm excited. Any time you get a chance to get a fresh start it helps you out." Wilson is making his first start and third career appearance against the Reds.

The 25-year-old Latos has struggled historically in March and April, going 2-8 with a 5.73 ERA. He went 1-2 with a 5.97 ERA in his first five starts last year before going 13-2 with a 3.09 ERA to close the season. Latos, who threw a career-high 209 1/3 innings last season, worked with former Reds ace Mario Soto during the spring on his changeup. "I’m starting to get a real good feeling for it," said Latos, who was 6-3 with a 3.18 ERA at Great American Ball Park last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels’ Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout combined to go 1-for-14 with three walks on Opening Day.

2. Cincinnati is 2-5 all-time against the Angels.

3. The Angels are the only team in the majors to open the season with three straight series against playoff teams from 2012.

PREDICTION: Reds 6, Angels 5