Angels @ Astros 04/23/2021 Gamethread

Mike Trout was in the lineup, but he was scratched shortly thereafter. He’s currently listed as day-to-day.

Angels Lineup: Fletcher 4, Ohtani DH, Upton 7, Walsh 9, Pujols 3, Rojas 5, Iglesias 6, Schebler 8, Bemboom 2. Heaney 1.

Astros Lineup: Correa 6, Brantley 7, Bregman 5, Álvarez DH, Gurriel 3, Tucker 9, Díaz 4, Straw 8, Maldonado 2. Greinke 1.

429 Comments
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bradllee424
Trusted Member
3 years ago

I am so done with this team. They haven’t been good since 2009. If Moreno doesn’t have the desire to win then he needs to sell now.

Angels2020Champs
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  bradllee424

His only desire is to add another B to his billions

bradllee424
Trusted Member
3 years ago

Sad, but true. The first six years of his ownership were good. The last twelve has been horrendous.

Angels2020Champs
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  bradllee424

His only success is from previous regimes talent and acumen. Once Arte started putting his stamp on the team, signing players only he wanted while cutting costs on future development, we have seen what has come to roost.

bradllee424
Trusted Member
3 years ago

It is too bad what he has done to the franchise. I have been a long time fan and have never gone through so much losing.

rez2405
Trusted Member
3 years ago
Reply to  bradllee424

I mean.. im sorry but it’s truly easy to say and going on raw emotion during a losing streak. It’s quite another thing to say this earlier in the season.

Angels2020Champs
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  rez2405

Let the good times roll for sure. It’s like never leaving the table on a heater. Might as well enjoy it.

What I have to say about Arte or Pujols (the two I’m most critical of for a failed decade) is going to be true until we win a playoff series. Pujols will be gone before that happens. Hopefully Arte can get out of his own way and hire FO talent.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  bradllee424

2014 we led the league in wins and promptly got the boot by the Royals in three games. We all thought we would be there in the playoffs every year for a long while. But mismanagement is such an evil thing.

Fansince1971
Legend
3 years ago

This was a deal breaker for me. That ball was foul. If it’s called fair by umpires and confirmed by replay (ie not enough evidence) then I can’t watch anymore. It’s total bulls hit. I need a break. F this.

AllenB
Super Member
3 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

They called an angels hit foul when it looked like it hit chalk.

Angels2020Champs
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

I hear you ‘71. Remind me NOT to purchase tickets come 4/27 to may and June games.

JackFrost
Super Member
3 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Lol. And you are the one saying you can’t buy into the “conspiracy mumbo jumbo.”

Well, either the replay officials are blind (which I highly doubt) or something fishy is going on. Which do you think is more likely?????

Fansince1971
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

I knew this was coming. I was just waiting. It’s not a conspiracy. It’s not enough camera angles. Did you see the view we had on tv. I don’t think replay had any other angles. Bc of that the view was too far away to be ‘sure’. No conspiracy

JackFrost
Super Member
3 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Pretty sure they have all camera angles available. This is Major League Baseball friend. It stands to reason that they would have access to any and all tv feeds. Why wouldn’t they? There is too much at stake.

BTW, there have been MANY similarly odd failures to either confirm or overturn rulings that video had CLEARLY revealed. I sympathize with your pain now and feeling fed-up. You commented several times to that and I get it. I am with you in my disgust.

But who are you trying to protect? Why are you so certain in your incredulous attitude? Why do trust the business MLB so much?

You yourself know they turned a blind eye to steroids because it was good for business. They juiced the balls for several decades for similar reasons. That in itself is a conspiracy. The word is not something mystical or rare. They happen all the time in the world, even in prior years in MLB ( in cases other than juicing the balls).

The question is not whether they happen but how frequently. In these cases people such as yourself are so incredulous that a billion dollar business would do something unethical to further their interests…. But, as stated, we already KNOW they do this.

So, just think about it. Are the folks making those replay decisions likely to be that incompetent that they cannot see with the best technology available what we can all see with the naked eye? Or is the sad truth the reality; that the world is full of unscrupulous, morally bankrupt, selfish, people??

I can’t decide for you man. You have to decide for yourself. You already see part of the picture, just open that lens a little bit wider.

Last edited 3 years ago by JackFrost
Fansince1971
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

I am anti-conspiracy. Kennedy was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald. We landed on the moon. 911 was not an attack on ourselves. The vaccines are real and effective and safe. Conspiracies are the fodder of the social media obsessed. I just don’t buy it.

Bad luck on the other hand…..or being cursed…..that I can buy into 😎

Last edited 3 years ago by Fansince1971
JackFrost
Super Member
3 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

What is being “anti-conspiracy?” Does that mean you don’t like them? I think what you mean to say is that you are not open to the reality of their existence (in other words you “don’t believe in them.”).

But again, there are already KNOWN conspiracies in MLB. Do you deny that the balls have been juiced? If so, then I would boldly state that you have your head in the sand. In other words, you are an idiot.

If, on the other hand, you except that as fact, then you already have acknowledged that conspiracies exist and have been present in Major League Baseball. Thus, your prior statement that you are “anti-conspiracy” (don’t accept their reality) is false  😎 

Fansince1971
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

My bias is anti- conspiracy. I am firmly that way right now due to ridiculous conspiracy assertions that are flowing through the internet like flotsam and jetsam.

That said, I don’t think I’m an idiot. I can accept the ball being juiced to increase homeruns and MLB turning its head on steroid use because they wanted to bring back fans after the 1994 strike. Those are not really conspiracies to me since I don’t see the end game as particularly unlawful or harmful since the advantage or impact applied equally to all teams. That was more a business decision to increase offense throughout the game.

Here you are suggesting that MLB has it out for the Angels specifically and is targeting them specifically. Why? The Angels have the most marketable player in MLB in Mike Trout. Why wouldn’t MLB want Trout to be successful and make it to the playoffs? It just doesn’t make any sense from a fundamental reason standpoint (as compared to juicing the ball or turning your back on steroids to make the game more offense minded and more attractive to fans). I cannot fathom a logical reason why MLB would have it in for the Angels specifically – particularly in favor of the known cheaters Trashtros.

I mean if this is a true conspiracy- is Schebler in on it too? I mean he comes into the game and immediately gives up a 2 run HR. Seems like a conspiracy to me.

And maybe Maddon is in on it by not putting Rendon and Trout into today’s lineup?!

Look – if you have a theory as to why MLB would conspire against the Angels in favor of Houston – I’m all ears. But I’m not just blindly going to accept such a theory, which seems based on nothing but emotion.

Last edited 3 years ago by Fansince1971
JackFrost
Super Member
3 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

I made no such claims (that MLB “has it in for the Angels.”) That came from you. You are thinking pretty simplistically Fan. You have jumped from the micro to the macro (the possible manipulation of a single game to MLB “having it in” for the Angels. Those are not the same thing.

There are alot of reasons why MLB could favor one team over another on any give night. Aside from creating and pushing certain narratives there is the more obvious influence that gambling plays in professional sports. Gambling on sports is big, big business, to the tune of billions of dollars (yes, I said billions!) In 2021 alone Americans wagered 8.5 billion
https://www.legalsportsbetting.com/how-much-money-do-americans-bet-on-sports/

on the NCAA Basketball Tournament alone. That is not including the huge numbers the NFL draws, as well as the NBA and of course MLB. And it goes without saying, where there is big money there is bound to be shady dealings, shenanigans and manipulation. Much of this has been documented.

By stating this I am not making a definitive statement about last night’s game, only providing context and answering your question as to what potential reasons could be. As for the narrative argument, one could postulate that it is good for MLB to have a powerful “villain” in their ranks to create fan passion. We have already seen how riled up opposing fans have gotten when the Astros visit their towns. If the Astros are too weak a team or lose too much they become less viable as a strong villain and potentially hurt what is an interest creating narrative.

Again, I am not making any specific claims about the reason/s for MLB replay shenanigans. We don’t need to know that much detail. Better for you to go back to my original question last night, which was “What is more likely, that the replay officials for a billion dollar enterprise are totally incompetent? (“blind” as I put it) OR, “That they are unethical and make decisions based upon any of a variety of business interests which we are not privy to??”

I think the answer is pretty clear.

Last edited 3 years ago by JackFrost
Fansince1971
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

I would answe that question with ‘incompetent’ but the gambling angle is intriguing. I would need to know what was bet on the Angels versus what was bet on the Astros in last nights game to evaluate that further. I would think most of the money would have been on the Astros because Trout was out and Greinke was pitching. So I’d think gambling interest would be for the Angels to win, not lose.

Fansince1971
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Angels were +125 last night and over/under was 8.5. So with the Trashtros winning 5-4, the over won. Maybe a bunch was bet on the under? I would love to see that evidence.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

I hope that Gambling interests are not affecting or are not going affect the game of MLB. Bally Sports now has the rights in many regions and they are involved in Gambling certainly. I have read that Manfred wants to make the league owners more money by dealing with Sports Gambling in some way. That is getting close to the snakes head for sure and it will bite you in the ass for sure.

JackFrost
Super Member
3 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

We have no way of knowing that unless someone in our ranks is a Vegas insider. But remember, the percentage of money bet doesn’t have to come from volume on one side, it could be one individual bettor who represents the largest % bet on one side/team.

Fansince1971
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

So my understanding of the rule is that a call on the fuel can only be overturned on ‘indisputable evidence’. That means 100% it was foul. In these Covid days, the number of television cameras is severely limited. Away teams have one camera feed. The footage Cowboy 26 sent me was the away feed. That’s the only footage the Angels broadcast had access to.

The other footage would be home (Trashtro) footage and I don’t think any of us have seen that – and even that footage would likely be limited due to the restrictions on cameras as a result of Covid 19.

So the reality is, you’ve got a 100% standard for overturning, limited camera angles and limited coverage. So a close call in the corner is probably going to stand no matter what since how does one meet the 100% standard with camera limitations?

I’m 95.9% sure that ball was foul. If the replay office agreed with that assessment they would have to call it fair by the ‘indisputable evidence’ rule.

AllenB
Super Member
3 years ago

Don’t know if anyone is still here, but Rojas had a lot to do with that loss.

angelsown3417
Trusted Member
3 years ago

This team is useless. A little bit of hope as we have been decimated by injuries but this bullpen is horrendous.

AllenB
Super Member
3 years ago

Hopefully some other teams will want some of these guys at the deadline.

Christianhanson
Trusted Member
3 years ago

Iglesias has been good his whole career til he comes here, I’m confused.

Last edited 3 years ago by Christianhanson
angelslogic
Legend
3 years ago

Peter Principle: Players will rise to their highest level of incompetence and remain there once signed by this organization.

bradllee424
Trusted Member
3 years ago

The coaching staff at the major and minor league levels has been horrendous for years. This is by far the worse stretch of Angels baseball I have seen and I have been following them since the ’70’s.

Angels2020Champs
Legend
3 years ago

Dude what the fuck is Sutton on?! “On getaway day”?? We have 2 more fucking games with this team!! The ineptitude in the field and in the booth is unparalleled

Cowboy26
Legend
3 years ago

Getaway for him hopefully

Fansince1971
Legend
3 years ago

Can’t listen to the guy. He’s unlistenable. Just awful

IvanX
Trusted Member
3 years ago

I’m on mlb.tv so I took the opportunity to switch him off and listen to Terry instead. Sooooo much better. One of the service’s best features for sure

Angels2020Champs
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  IvanX

I love that feature but can’t use it here in Southern California. I might just bring my ion pathfinder into the house and put it on AM830 and watch TV on mute

IvanX
Trusted Member
3 years ago

I sucked it up and subscribed to NordVPN, enabled their SmartDNS feature, put the DNS address into my Apple TV, and lived happily every after.

Angels2020Champs
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  IvanX

Thanks for that info. I have a firestick and probably should go VPN route. Missing out on a lot of stuff I’d like to see.

IvanX
Trusted Member
3 years ago

Fire Stick appears to be the best streaming device for VPN, because you can install the software for the big ones (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, etc) right on it. No go with Apple TV, though Smart DNS (DNS proxy) is a workaround that works with some services. For Roku and non-Fire, non-Android smart TV’s, you need a router that can make outgoing VPN connections, which is much more of a pain, and irritates everyone else in your house.

FungoAle
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  IvanX

Agree, I find Terry easier on the ears and get to hear the background more.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
3 years ago

Why is it that we just can not get a BP together? Good Night Folks.

Angels2020Champs
Legend
3 years ago

Sorry that was the ending to your day! Hope you find something else enjoyable to close it out! Thanks for stopping by

LA_Seitz
Trusted Member
3 years ago

I still don’t understand how they could have possibly overturned that call.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
3 years ago
Reply to  LA_Seitz

What, is was clearly foul.

LA_Seitz
Trusted Member
3 years ago

I meant not overturn it. Sorry. Was watching on my ipad and it looked like they sent them back, then called it fair.

MH252525
Trusted Member
3 years ago

If Joe is willing to have Mayers throw 24 pitches and Iglesias obviously more than 17 he had to throw today….. why not just have Mayers come in in the 7th inning?

AllenB
Super Member
3 years ago
Reply to  MH252525

And Rodriguez sat in the pen.

Angels2020Champs
Legend
3 years ago

Blow pen gives up what was our best start of the year. Figures

rez2405
Trusted Member
3 years ago

Absolute bullshit.. complete and utter bullshit.

I dont fault the BP. Well I do but I don’t.

Sorry for the expletives

Jessica DeLine
Admin
Super Member
3 years ago

I actually liked the Iglesias trade but he’s sure had some hot garbage games.

Jim Atkins
Super Member
3 years ago

What a pisser. Total Buttercup.

Nick_LA96
Member
3 years ago

Serious question, how was the auto runner earned to Iglesias but not the Astros guy?

Nick_LA96
Member
3 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

Got it, thank you!

Angels2020Champs
Legend
3 years ago

Why do I like the angels?!?! It’s like I love misery

SScott
Super Member
3 years ago

Freaking train wreck of a bullpen.

AllenB
Super Member
3 years ago

This team is shit!

angelslogic
Legend
3 years ago

That sucked!

VictoriousVIC
Trusted Member
3 years ago

Fuck New York (April). That was clearly a foul ball. Such bullshit