Bullpens are the kickers of Baseball. Everyone is convinced theirs is the worst and it is the aspect that is the most scrutinized part of the game. Games can be won or lost on bullpens like any other aspect of the game but since they (usually) come in late their impact is magnified significantly.
The Angels have a bad bullpen so far this season, even though last year it was one of the few strengths of the team. Which is why bullpens are so disliked, year to year inconsistency brings forth frustration and uncertainty. Today the Angels bullpen gave up 2 runs, while the Dodgers gave up none. That was the difference in the game.
Andrew Heaney had a mixed day, just like his career. Giving up 4 runs, mostly due to waking too many, yet he outdueled Walker Buehler. With 4 walks, 5 hits, and 4 runs given up but 6 strikeouts, it was certainly mixed. But, Heaney pitched 5.2 innings and left with a 5-4 lead.
The offense did decent scoring 5 runs. Mike Trout hit a first inning home run, his 9th of the season. Anthony Rendon hit a two out ground rule double to drive in Tommy La Stella, who himself scored twice.
In the other aspects of the game, David Fletcher made a great defensive play. Meanwhile Mike Trout stole a base. There were no big gaffs for the defensive this time while the Dodgers made one that led to a run. The Dodgers also stole multiple bases and the Angels have given up the most in baseball.
Angels are 7-14 on the season. Final game vs the Dodgers in Anaheim tomorrow at 1 PM. Julio Teheran vs Dustin May. It is a must win game.
Tough thing to figure out is that the team has flashes of being legit. And then something happens and they lose a game they should have won. By my tally there are 6 losses that could have easily been wins but were lost in the late innings or in extras. 13-8 (winning those 6) is way different than 7-14. Even if they won 3 of those 6 games it’s 10-11.
By contrast I can think of arguably only one win of a game they (by probability standards) should have lost.
The team is not as bad as the record shows. But this has been a recurring theme the last few seasons. They just don’t seem to be able to put it all together and gain consistency. That’s what the good teams do.
And there is also that smattering of bad luck that seems to plague the team season after season.
No real game plan back in 2016 and 2017
David Fletcher is the only good player in the INF who’s homegrown and under 30. Eppler’s drafting plus signing a Latin youngster OF……nothing but OF’s and no INF’s and that’s not counting the pitching disaster either. The Astros and the A’s best players are at the most important positions ( 3B, CF, SS, ) Bregman, Springer, Correa and the A’s Chapman, Laureano, Semien. Have no damm clue WTF Eppler was thinking. BTW look at our 2002 WSC team most of the best players were home grown ( the OF, Glaus, Lackey, Percival, K-Rod ).
And THAT is Angels Buttercup baseball. Go into extra innings, Dodgers start man on second, he steals third, he in to score. Angels have the same situation, Rengifo stays at second, out, out, Mike Trout strikes out looking high fastball. This team needs more Fletchers and less Wards, LaStellas.
TBH I think they’re all must-lose at this point. This roster isn’t built to win every night to dig itself out of the hole theyre in, it’s only chance this year was to be about .500 with an occasional win streak to put us into the postseason. They failed miserably so time to pivot to draft slot.
We lost because of bad luck (the ground rule double) and Calvinball.
Live look-in to my living room.
Riesling? Chardonnay? Hard cider?
Yes
Ha ha. That’s great; love the giant glass.
7-14. If we need to be 30-30 it means we have to finish 23-16.
So it’s ok to lose a few more
Well, that dog won’t hunt.
Its time to start making the list of semi-nice things that other teams would be interested in.
Hey has anybody noticed… Maddon was trying to get them to 6-14 but unfortunately they won an extra game.
That’s Maddons fresh take on it
the good thing about this stupid extra inning rule is that it invalidates the season (as will the 7 inning doubleheader games). This means we can ignore the 2020 season except for Trout, Fletch, Bundy (Bundy??!??).
im really discouraged. That last Trout at bat was pitiful.
No one knew the Dodgers could be so difficult.
Who r dezz doyers u speak of?
Must most game to get a better draft pick so Eppler can screw its up again and we can hope that the prospect will be good in 5 years. What’s worse is that Eppler is in hiding. He’s just as weak sauce as the team he built. Just start the tank and find a real GM
We really gotta make those second and third round picks count since our #1’s are trade bait to appease teams to take Eppler’s failed FA disasters ( Will Wilson to the Giants to take Zack Cozart off our hands ). Next move Reid Detmers to the Yankees along with Juston Upton.
Anyone surprised angels catchers can’t throw anyone out? Nope me neither.
Horrible team. Poorly built, not going anywhere.
You’d still need Tommy La Stella to actually catch the ball.
Has anyone considered replacing the GM?
Need a change in owner first
Frank McCourt or Donald Sterling?
Both.
We could move the Stadium off Burial Ground…
That was dealt with back before 2002.
Perhaps somebody recently made a voodoo doll of the Angels? In that case we’ll have to carry out a reverse curse!
Stupid BULLSHIT Extras Baseball!