Enjoy that song in your head for a minute. But, for the Angels nothing could be more true at the moment.
After taking 2 of 3 from both the Nationals and the Rays, the Angels have moved up to #5 in ESPN’s power rankings and up to the fourth spot on CBS list.
As of May 12th, the Angels have the second highest run differential in the AL and third highest in all of MLB. Of course the only rankings that really matter are the standings, where we are tied with the red hot Asterisks for first place.
The big talk of the week is Reid Detmers and deservedly so. The fact he pitched a no hitter while only striking out two batters is a testament to soft contact and team defense.
I know we’ve rehashed the game here plenty of times. We’re fans. But when Fangraphs gives it a full breakdown and labels it an exciting game, that’s a nice validation.
Remember last week when I posted how well the 2021 draftees were doing? Well, one of them is about to make his MLB debut. Welcome to the show Chase Silseth.
Sandoval, Detmers, Diaz, Silseth…what happened to “the Angels don’t have any young pitching?”
For all the insanity of the last few years, one thing is finally feeling like normal: Mike Trout is leading the polls for MVP.
With Shohei Mania and the no hitter, and Taylor Ward acting like Superman, the greatest player in a generation or more is getting quietly overlooked.
Thing is the team isn’t just Trout and everybody else. This year, the key to our success has been the supporting cast. Perry has given the GOAT a real shot at the playoffs this year.
How legit of a shot? Currently we are pegged as 78% likely to make the big dance.
SI does a solid job of introducing expected batting average to the mainstream audience. It shows that hitters aren’t living up to expectations and that the baseball is to blame.
Can’t decide if I want to highlight the Rod Carew comp or remember when Howie was projected as a sure fire batting champion. Either way, meet Luis Arreaz who is on his way to said title.
In a pretty cool move both the Dodgers and Giants will wear Pride themed hats for a game in June. As Pride month and Night are ahead of us, I found a link with every MLB team’s ties to Pride.
In networking news, I’ve made pals with the owner of ballnine.com and think the site deserves some clicks. The owner calls the site a “punk rock baseball site” and is a bassist in a punk band himself. And yet, thus far no biological link to Rev has been discovered. But I’ll keep looking ha ha.
Enjoy your weekend. Two games on Saturday!
