Good morning Angels fans. No morning drinking please. Have some links instead.
Angels News
So the Angels lost. Again. Pretty badly. Again. Read more here.
Justin Upton is injured. Again. Foul ball off knee. Hey I’ve seen this one before.
At least Trout has been good. Like, even better than before. Hey I’ve seen this one before.
Yes the Angels have been bad, but at least they aren’t the Tigers.
Around Baseball
The Angels aren’t the only ones injured. Yelich is back on the IL after just getting off.
DeGrom is also not feeling well. Forearm tightness.
Twins have their new OF/1B injure his forearm. Those seem to be on the rise this year.
Maldanado is also hurt. The injuries stop for no one.
Cubs lose someone young too, the other player in that collusion. It isn’t just old guys getting hurt, it is young players.
But injuries on the rise isn’t an issue for MLB. No, the real issue is angry relivers. That is a big no no and Manfred punishes the Reds again with a 7 game suspension for Amir Garrett.
Something good happened though. The Trashos got absolutely destroyed in multiple ways in ny. Like seriously, they are pissed. Hey I’ve seen this one before.
Oh yeah, also the umps have been bad. Again. Some poor guy innocently wonders why this happens.
Anything I missed? Post below for upvotes.
cool video. Mikey, at this current pace, might pass Ruth when he’s 39.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN7KDs8-b8g
Very cool, stay healthy Mike.
Is there a lineup announced yet?
https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/1390102849082716163?s=21
Ward up, Rendon to the 10-day.
Thank you. Was wondering why I couldn’t find anything.
Lineup now includes ward (finally), Lagares, Gosselin, Rojas, and Suzuki
I like watching up and comers so that will be something to keep an eye. As far as open up my wallet at the current ticket prices, going to have to start staying home with this lineup.
and as we expected, we’ll never see Rendon again
Since when arent MRI results available? Just not available to us but we’ve been down this song and dance before.
I hadn’t seen this ridiculous call until a few minutes ago
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-umpire-marty-foster-stands-by-terrible-obstruction-call-in-brewers-marlins-game/
Ha ha. The ball was already in the First Baseman’s glove and the out recorded before Díaz (the baserunner) was even close to the pitcher…
He didn’t obstruct anything lol.
and the runner was on the infield grass where he’d usually be called out but the ump said the baseline is wherever the runner is….but then….makes my head hurt, it’s so illogical.
Horrible call. I never heard the ump side of it but nothing makes sense here.
I’m jumping on the Padre bandwagon sooner than I thought I would. I
Jerry’s Kids
https://sports.yahoo.com/orioles-pitcher-john-means-dazzles-during-no-hitter-against-mariners-220622488.html
Glad the Mariners got no-hit.
They actually suck and have no business in 3rd place or 2nd or whatever…
Any word on Rendon? Why do I have a nagging feeling we will receive IL news shortly?
TJKS? I expect they’ll find a fracture and he’ll be out until late July.
I believe it will be Split Ends in his mullet that sidelines him.
Angel Hernandez is truly a marvel. It’s hard to impact the game that much when you’re not behind the plate, yet he managed to do it.
Hey Joe, why do you not know what a stolen base is? Afraid of injury? Teach the feet first slide then…..BTW Joe what do you think? Ohtani will go hopefully 4 tonite?…..Which is more likely to happen, Trouty hitting 2 bases empty HRs or one HR with someone on base. I like the latter……I thought the Angels were going to surprise and bring Goodie back, I was wrong, after all I thought that we could use another back-up/starting OFer. I can think of some memories of him wearing the Halos uniform…..Sujestion for tonite’s game plan, run with this line up, Walsh, Fletch, Trouty, then fill in the blanks…..! But against the shift more…..Last night had one great moment, 4 OFer’s against Trouty and Grandmabaseball says he’ll hit it out on purpose, well Ka-Boom happened,….Yeah I know I’m a Knucklehead but I think we will win anyway tonight and I can’t wait for the game.
Thumbs up for that even though I can’t exactly explain why lol
I’m kind of surprised that Amir Garrett didn’t get a 30 game suspension and a warning that he would be banned if it happens again.
And again the guy who jumped over the rail and actually started the fight gets a hand slap.
Somebody should teach the babies that react violently to the words of Amir Garrett, Trevor Bauer, etc… that “sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”
Problem with Amir is that he charged the dugout in 2019 and tried to fight an entire team, and he was suspended for that incident too. https://www.mlb.com/video/tempers-flare-between-reds-bucs he was given an 8 game suspension for that fiasco.
So he was appropriately punished for his prior transgression. This time he was not the person that raised the fight to the level of physical violence.
I don’t care if somebody invites you to hit him, it’s still the person that takes the first physically aggressive action that is ultimately responsible for the fight.
Just when I want to stop going… Ohtani pitching tonight
In the end, we all eventually compare ourselves to Detroit. Misery loves company.
https://youtu.be/oZzgAjjuqZM
MFY fans’ treatment of the Astros was pretty comical. I hate the Yankees, but still I like the fact that their fans could be the messengers to remind Carlos Correa, et. al. that their unpunished cheating hasn’t been forgotten. Especially by the club that lost to them in the postseason of 2017 (and 2019, for that matter).
Great when they did some of the same stuff.
Dodgers have lost 5 of 6 and are due to seriously crush somebody soon. Reminds me of a couple weeks ago when we caught Houston on a losing streak and due to crush somebody.
Not a good feeling about this weekend.
Totally agree. We think alike Jeff. And this is why I want a team we’ll be playing next to actually have won a game or two immediately before facing us instead of having lost a couple.
This is 2018 all over again……..13-3 start.
This isn’t a very good team on paper once you get past the usual 3 or 4 people ( Trout, Rendon, Walsh, Fletcher ). This team hasn’t had a true #1 ace since 2012 and BTW it’s going on 20 years since Jered Weaver was a farm system rookie. Now my Arte conspiracy theory. Many of CTPG members keep mentioning the phrase Eppler’s hands were tied, mine is that they weren’t! Yes they weren’t, because in my eyes Arte brought him in to be the company hitman ( yeah like Adam Scott with the beard in the Ben Stiller and Kristen Wiig movie The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty ). Arte was likely shopping the Angels during most of Eppler’s tenure as GM and probably wanted more than suitable buyers were willing to pay him ( $4B or $5B is probably what he wanted ). What has Perry done thus far to better the team since December BTW? He inherited Jered Walsh and all he’s done thus far was get Raisel Iglesias, who’s been just so so and promote Chris Rodriguez. Many online pundits are saying the Angels are not going to draft a pitcher in this year’s MLB Draft yet again…….AGAIN. 😫 👎
You don’t pay big free agent dollars for pitching, and you CERTAINLY DO NOT draft pitching in the first round. Artebuddy knows that.
Let’s all relax, and calm down, take some deep breaths. There’s a lot of parity in MLB now. Approximately 30-ish games into a 162 game season, on May 5th, and 27 of the 30 MLB teams are at worst 3 games under .500, or better. Only 3 bottom-dwelling teams are worse than that!
And of those 27 teams, every single one has at least 12 losses already. The Angels certainly have not played well the past week, and they’ve still only lost 15 games. They have enough talent and pitching to rebound. Considering that all MLB only played 60 games last year, I think every organization is being cautious with letting their starters go too long early on. Maddon is giving quick hooks to starters, but I think that will change a bit later in the season.
No single team in either league has really dominated and stood out above all else. The A’s technically have the best record in MLB, yet go on hot and cold streaks. Makes no sense. Even the “mighty” Dodgers are going to struggle now to fill their 5th rotation spot, now that May is done for the year. And this alleged superteam is currently only sitting at 17-14.
My deep breath is that I will continue to enjoy this site and it’s comment section, I will watch some of all Angels games but that I will stop going to as many (I think I made 10 of 13 so far).
I’ve enjoying bringing my 2 small kids to the park and we’ve had a good time, even with poor play and the occasional blow out loss. I pay to park, buy merchandise and concessions. A few other members have written great comments recently about Pujols, pitching woes, defense, and other Angels problems. I find myself getting irritated and frustrated at repeated mistakes (crappy base running, poor fielding, ABs that are trash). I’d honestly rather see a random fan come bat (think emergency goalie coming in hockey… can’t help by smile right?) in Pujol’s place than to see him one more time. I don’t know what else to do (angels certainly aren’t reading anyone else’s opinion about them) than to talk with my money at this point.
While we touch on the As, take a moment to realize they started 0-6 if I recall. Only have 2-batters hitting over 0.270 in their lineup with a pitching staff that is above average but not great. Yet, they just keep winning. They don’t issue mega deals and trade their talent away before free agency. They do try to sign their guys but they have their business model laid out and that helps drive the decisions. I expect Chapman to be moved at some point. I just cannot help but being impressed. As an organization, they kick our ass.
Note: Diekman has been huge for them. Lose Liam Hendricks no problem.
Yeah, I get it. And agree, Oakland is much more efficiently run than the Angels (and most teams, frankly). Most teams are struggling to hit this year, though.
Pitching has dominated hitting in 2021 MLB, and there’s been a lot documented there now that they have a month of sample size. Yet the Angels (without Rendon for a number of games) have still managed to lead the MLB in wRC+ at 115 or so. The Angels pitching has mainly had some bad luck. Outside Quintana, the starters will carry them, barring injury. Bundy, Heaney, Canning and Cobb are solid. Ohtani is a plus factor when he pitches.
With their offense, the Angels literally just need a league-average performance from their pitching to win the division. It will be there soon.
I made many of the same points about the A’s about a week ago.
It is just amazing to me that that team could win 13 straight with the marginal talent they have. The only explanation is that they KNOW how to win…
By that I mean that they don’t beat themselves and they execute late in games… They are 7-2 in 1-run games; that is not a small thing.
Almost as amazing to me is that the Mariners are over .500 with as little offensive talent as they have…
It is endlessly frustrating to be buried by these two inferior teams talent-wise.
Yep I remember the first time going to Wrigley park on opening day in ’61. We were an expansion team and we started a love affair with the team called the Angeles and Dad loved them too so we went to a lot of games just to see old relics and young kids and middle aged cast offs play Baseball. Believe it or not they played and played well too. Today I watch mostly on the TV but it surely seems like it’s Baseball but not really though as starting pitching goes 4-5 innings, hitters are doing embarrassing poor by striking out and constantly adjusting gloves. Is it that important to adjust gloves just to strike out? Wearing oven mitts while running the bases? Why do we not steal bases or put on the hit and run? Why does a second baseman play short right field and a Third Baseman play Shortstop when a Lefty is batting? In my mind I can see Yaz cringe because Leftfielders can’t catch, run, or throw any longer. Now if they could hit like Williams or Yaz then maybe not being able to use a glove could be forgiven.
Who is this Rob Manfred and why does he Hate Baseball? A runner at second if we have a tie? Why?
And Player’s being paid over 30 million a year? My Dad and then me could take the kids to games when it was inexpensive, but today we are willing to pay 20 bucks just to park closer. Good grief.
Get off my lawn and let’s go back to playing Baseball as it should be played and coached. Funny stuff that there are more arm problems pitching less innings than when pitching 200 plus innings year after year and there was very few arm and elbow issues.
Yo Bill James are you proud in what you helped create and now call Baseball.
Hey you there, I am a bit turned around here, which way to the Big A, you know, Angels Stadium. Thanks a lot I knew we were close.
Joe sure likes his veterans. Gosselin 0-4.
Where’s Ward so we can start complabout him to?
Defense is more a reflection of the coaching staff than the pitching problems. Pitching requires very refined skill and talent. Catching the baseball is basic “blocking and tackling” for any player. It’s about discipline and focus. The fact that our SS can’t throw the ball 90 feet or keep his eyes on the ball to the glove is an embarrassment.
Well, though I am not happy with our shortstops’ performance the last couple of games we were not expecting him to go the entire season without an error, were we?
If he gets another error tonight I am sure I’ll be alot less forgiving.
No, not expecting error free. He’s had 8 errors season to date. His fielding percentage is .918, his career average is .982. With his wRC of +83 and abysmal fielding, he’s not been an adequate replacement for Simmons.
Well, I would agree with you there. I think we all knew that losing Simmons was indeed a big loss. I for one was in favor of signing/keeping him.
I was in favor of letting Simmons go and focusing on pitching.
The Angels, of course, didn’t listen to either of us.
The argument alot of us here made was that having Simmons at shortstop does improve the pitching! He takes away innumerable hits which keeps runners off the bases and runs off the board.
A penny saved is a penny earned, or a run saved is a run scored. 😉
And the logic in bringing in Iglesias was that he’s as close to Simba as you can get without being as expensive as Simba or coming off two injury seasons.
The wheels just fell off here like they do for countless acquisitions.
“The wheels just fell off here like they do for countless acquisitions.”
That is the problem more than anything when it comes to building our rosters for the past decade with free agency. A high percentage of the time, they not only play below expectations, they crater, they tank, seemly without explanation.
This is almost a guarantee when it comes to pitching.
As stated frequently here, really hard to watch, with what appears to be better MLB roster than Seattle and Texas and to a lesser degree Oakland.
But needing to replace Simmons with Iglesias and not see that as a smart move? A lot of errors so far but I doubt he’s going to continue playing this bad. Hell, he was anointed a SS Wizard immediately during ST, with a stronger bat.
No answer here and I don’t think there is one. Likely its Arte and the limitations he places on the GM, among other things. He’s the common denominator, 3 managers, 3 GMs, all with the same results. Stoneman was here when Arte bought the team and the foundation was set for our run from 2002-2009. After he left, probably thought this is easy, I know the secret sauce and we all know he doesn’t.
I’m shocked at the brutal defense of Iglesias. I fully expected the bat to cool off, but his glove has always been solid.
Last night I sat club level, third base side, basically perfectly in line with him. I couldn’t believe the drop in the first inning. He didn’t seem to rush or lollygag he just didn’t make the routine play.
Iggy was a supposed salary dump by Baltimore just like our new “closer” was a salary dump by the Reds. Well, Baltimore is 14-16 and the Reds are 14-15. Who looks smarter right about now?
We usually get out smarted……..I’ll give you Pitcher Iggy, they may have laughed at us when the trade was final. I don’t know who the Reds had to replace him. At least he’s here only a year, then his almost certain improvement in 2022, at half the salary.
SS Iggy, though a salary dump, I doubt it was with assumptions that he’d regress in 2021 (so far).
I think we were one of the few teams that were OK with increasing payroll and we are desperate.
They both seemed like smart moves to me at the time, but I don’t know shit. Besides, we still have time to return them. Keep the receipt and return within 3 months, no question asked…………I’m sure Perry kept the receipt.
You are right that he is not playing up to his own standards. Over the last eight seasons Iglesias has only been under a .980 fielding percentage one time (.977 in 2015). So yes, that is disappointing.
Would you bench him and move Fletch over to ss while having Rengifo man 2B ? Not sure that makes us better though…
I agree with you, there’s not a viable solution. Regifo and Rojas are not answers. We’ll have to play Iggy and hope he trends towards prior performance.
But, But,I thought Marcus Semien sucks! We have one of MLB’s better hitting teams when everyone’s elbow isn’t hurting. We also passed on Kolten Wong too as well. Arte is still the Pope of Gene Autrey Way.
Yeah looking at the numbers and price, I’d still take Iggy
The defense is a problem, but as usual this team’s critical flaw is starting pitching. Five walks in five innings is the definition of mediocre yet to the downtrodden masses of Angels fans it seems like the Great Leap Forward. It’s stressful just watching and thinking about this reality and if my doctors’ visits lately are any indication I should take more than just the last couple nights off.
For the bullpen and position players this has to be an absolute nightmare. You’ve constantly got to be perfect because every starter except Bundy and sometimes Ohtani puts multiple guys on every inning. Concepts like a quality start or getting the third out cleanly have entered the realm of metaphysics and conspiracy theory.
“Did starters ever really land in the 7th inning, or was that all filmed on a soundstage in Nolan Ryan’s basement? What even is the strikezone if our pitchers can’t find it? Fuck, Fletcher booted a ball thinking about this and now it’s 5-0 in the 2nd inning and I’m even more bored than usual!” – Anthony Rendon, probably.
Bad starting pitching is insidious. It infects every other aspect of any team cursed by it as the Angels are in 2021. Purge us of this fifth column, GMPM! Trade whomever you must to the gulags of Colorado, Queens, Cincinnati, or wherever is required to bring us to the promised land!
Until then, there’s probably not much reason for us to watch, or for the players to give a shit about inherited runners and fielding ground balls.
Well I just wanted to say that tonight we will win. But how did the defense go south on us? Why have our hitters stopped hitting? Why is Albert getting so many PA’s? Why does Joe not know how to use a Bullpen? When is Fletch going to go on a streak? Why are we not using Ward?
As for the defense, I don’t know what to think. Both JI and DF are usually pretty solid. Neither has had a game off lately so that should be on the schedule soon. Problem is, with all the injuries it is very difficult to rest guys. Rendon is the only guy who has been rested (Mike did get a day ) and that is only because of injury.
The only other thing I can think of is that bad pitching and bad defense go together. Players on defense are known to like pitchers who work quickly. It keeps them on their toes. It is much easier to be locked in for short stints. When our pitchers constantly walk guys they naturally slow down the pace of the game, and this in turn strains the focus of the fielders. That is about all I can think of.
Why did no one read the book by Sam Suplizio that Joe Maddon passed out in ST?!
“I brought it with me here, and we made copies,” said Maddon, in his second season as Angels manager. “Everybody’s gotten a copy of it.”
There’s definitely a trickle down effect from right field.
Walsh is out there and he’s below average with the glove. That opens up first for Pujols who is below average on both sides of the ball.
Getting a real right fielder would push Walsh back to first and Pujols out of the lineup. Marsh simply can’t get here fast enough.
Rendon getting hurt and Jose Iglesias turning into hands of stone were unforeseeable, but the pit in right field is hurting us in multiple ways.
Upton is below average. Next making a play just trying to prevent a mistake/further damage.
Trout is a little above average field (good coverage but arm is lacking).
RF is bad. Walsh has a good arm but is a little uncomfortable out there. I’d rather have him at 1B but understand the need for RF right now.
Rendon wasn’t playing up to our lofty expectations on offense or defense but without him it’s been even worse than imagined.
Iglesias isn’t playing his usual stellar defense.
Fletch is good.
Pujols is bad. I’ll leave it at that.
That makes for one bad defensive team. Doesn’t help a pitching staff that’s been erratic at times.
Offense does what it can. There are some good pitchers out there.
Overall our record is reflective of our overall play obviously.
Really, if the team wanted defense they’d slide Legares to Center and Trout to right, then push Pujols off the roster when Walsh goes back to first. We’d still have Upton out there, but he’d be the only weak link.
There’s zero chance Trout moves off center for Legares and about as much that he’ll do so for Marsh, but when Marsh does arrive I’ll be annoying in my belief that he should take over center.