Winning is fun. After a brutal road trip, the Angels got some nice home cooking and a really favorable home stand and now sit at 7 and 7 over the last two weeks and 2 games over .500 overall.
Yesterday was another showcase of the brilliance of Ohtani and just how hard baseball is. Shohei had his worst inning on the mound, giving up 5 runs in the 4th inning, but he hit himself out of the loss column as only he can.
Going into the season I thought the Angels bullpen was the weak link. But right now the Angels have an unexpected rotation dilemma.
Jose Suarez has been horrible, but Trout and Ohtani might have helped him solve a pitch tipping issue. Suarez is going to get another start on Sunday in Milwaukee.
A young guy struggling isn’t fun, but when your supposed stud free agent is also off to a bad start, that hurts. Tyler Anderson looked rough again last Saturday and is struggling to find his mechanics. He gets the start tonight.
Brandon Drury also got off to a slow start but really heated up this week. He says he’s getting his feel back. Hopefully that’s true.
Fellow newcomer Hunter Renfroe has been a great addition. His resemblance to Mike Trout is causing confusion on and off the field.
Hunter’s strikeout rate continues to drop. He’s also walking a bit more than usual.
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Pirates and would love to see them do well. As of Thursday morning they were the NL’s best and beating the Dodgers.
Bob Nutting actually opened his wallet and signed Bryan Reynolds to a nine figure extension. And they might not be done with extensions.
I promise I’m not trying to turn this into a Pirates blog, but this scene of 13 year minor league veteran Drew Maggi finally getting into an MLB game is too good to pass up.
In sadder news out of Pittsburgh, the legendary Dick Groat passed away at the age of 92. Talk about a life well lived. Simply incredible. RIP.
The Angels aren’t the only team in the Southland that is struggling. The Dodgers just had a very up and down road trip and sit dead on .500.
Speaking of up and down, Jose Berrios is either terrible or great depending on which numbers you’re looking at.
Now that the A’s are officially on the move people want to play the blame game. There’s plenty of it going around with most getting hung on A’s ownership. Deservedly so, but that link glosses over the original proposal to get Oakland off the hook for substantial stadium bond debt and redevelop the existing site.
So you’re saying that you get knocked down…
Huh… I don’t see a Gamethread yet.
I was sitting here at work, and just checked Gameday, and figured I’d jump in and complain about how we didn’t trade for Willy Adames.
๏ปฟ ๐ ๏ปฟ
if this is the gamethread then…I’m worried about Anderson
Took care of it.
If we’re going with Suarez and Anderson, and we are, let’s at least piggyback guys with opposite hands behind them.
Going from meh Suarez to meh Davidson isn’t really giving the opponent a different look. Or from Anderson to Davidson.
Anderson twice through the order then Silseth once. Suarez then Barria. Canning then Davidson.
And in any blowout or lead larger than 3 keep the long reliever in until the game forces your hand.
That should limit the innings for the typical relievers quite a bit and have them ready for late/close scenarios.
This is a good idea.
Barria needs to go
Well if hes stuck out in the bullpen then someone needs to get him a cup
Or this.
And here I thought you were just happy to see me.
Does anyone order the large or are all the order xtra-large, I know which one I would go for.
No! Just demand we trade for two aces and two top 2 closers.
And a 3th OF whi hit 20 homers!
One thing I forgot to mention. If you watched Phillips post game presser yesterday, He admitted to everyone that he screwed up by not replacing Rengifo for defensive purposes earlier in the game.
Lets see if this issue gets corrected going forward but at some point, like death and taxes, you have to assume that Luis Rengafo aint going to catch the ball in a late & close game when you really need him to.
I heard that and liked it. Nevin tried to say he wasn’t throwing Rengifo under the bus, but admitted he made a mistake and learned from it.
Hopefully he learned from keeping Quijada in the bullpen Monday. We snatched a loss from the jaws of a victory and Q got the next two games off anyway.
Its hard to let it go, but I still think the bigger picture was not having a rested arm to send Suarez to showers earlier. What if the Angels had optioned Warren and Brought up Silseth On Monday instead of Wednesday?
It might have made the difference there instead of forcing Wantz (and Barria) to attempt a second inning on Monday.
What I did find interesting was the fact that the Angels made no attempt to use Loup on Monday especially in a save situation. He was definitely available and could have been brought in earlier to work out his troubles.
Thats why I think the issue with Quijada was more than just over usage but more about mindset . Pitching the 9th has always had some mystical effect on most everyone that opens that bullpen gate ( whether real or not) I really think the Angels thought Queso had that super power but I think they’ve now realized that may not be the case.
If I recall when the Angels signed Estevez, Buddy Black was pretty disappointed that the Rockies didnt resign him. One of the comments Peppy Negro made was that he felt Estevez definitely had the mentality to close out games and pitch the ninth.
It’s not hard to let go. I did about three hours after the game.
When you say Phillips, I think Brett.
Sorry, I meant the split personality of Nevin.
But if he needs to be replaced for defensive purposes, although it’s not like he’s hitting the cover off of the ball, then why even start him? I get the need for depth and days off, however, if a player is being consistently replaced for defensive purposes that implies their defense, well, sucks, and then begs the question, why are they in the game in the first place?
Well, Angels lineup has been posted for tonight. The middle of the order is ;
4. Rendon
5. Renfroe
6. Drury
Even though Tendon has good career numbers vs Miley I think Iโd move him down in the orderโฆ I mean, heโs only SLG. at 306. Not good enough for clean-up protecting Ohtani and Trout.
I would prefer the Doppelgรคnger batting 4th with Muffin Man 5th and Rendon 6th.
Thatโs just me thoughโฆ
I’ve been saying this for a while. Rendon could be moved down, or could hit lead off because his super power is drawing walks.
Yes, I do remember you saying this. And I agree.
Really? No one here has noticed.
I wish there was a way to get more Rendon.
Contract extension?
NO! I want like 3 Rendons at the same time. So sleek.
So soon Again Frostie? This obsession you and ML have cannot be healthy.
I agree with the caveat that lineup order doesnโt really matter very much on the margins. What I mean by that is that batting Trout 9th would be a mistake because it would mean a lot fewer plate appearances for him. However, flip-flopping Rendon and Renfroe just doesnโt move the needle much.
It is not โflip flopping.โ That implies one place in sequence. I am suggesting TWO spots lower for Tendon. Yeah, it is only one spot for Renfroe, however, this switch could potentially mean an extra AB in the game for Renfroe and Drury.
ALSO, the larger point( which I already made) is that Renfroe provides REAL protection for Ohtani, while Tendon does not.
You’re missing the magic of “the line up”. Did your team kick the shit out of someone last night? Feel like you can’t breath because it’s been well over 24 hours since you could disapprove of something? You can always cozy up for a couple hours of wank between when the next game’s line up comes out and when the game starts.
The better the team is the more we’ll see this from some people. Sure, we’re headed to the play offs with 105 wins, but why is &*@&!()! hitting 4th!?!? Manager is so stupid. It was a staple for bitches back when the team was good, argue over a single spot in the line up constantly.
18-8 thus far in 2023! Angels just 2 over .500 playing against a easy schedule in April. That all changes starting tonight vs the Brewers.
62-100 in 2022……..61-101 in 2021 69-93 in 2019
“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish”
— She
“I HATE MY TEAM…. almost as much as I hate myself.”
Where all the Renfroe and Drury haters at?
Drury sucks.
Just an FYI, your constant negativity is noticed by the masthead. I’d advise you to start adding to the conversation and suggesting improvements rather than simply being negative 100% of the time if you wish to continue posting here.
Yeah, Yeah, what Jeff said!
would I be being too negative to post a link to some funny gifs?
https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2023/3/13/23638765/angels-weaponize-heavenly-body-defeat-mariners-8-2
Yeah!
https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-mariners/episode/jerry-dipoto-is-making-mariners-fans-anxious-again-209377462
Jeff – Iโm generally anti-censorship. But someone has to be expressing actual ideas and thoughts to be censored. 2002 is just a troll thinking heโ/she/it is funny spreading pure negativity and trying to get under other peopleโs skin. Banning him would not be censorship since he is not sharing ideas or thoughts. All he is doing is trying to piss people off.
He’s on the bubble and now he’s been specifically warned publicly.
Can we trade him? Maybe for a young smart, impressionable, Dodger fanโฆno criminal record of course. It would be a 4 for one with all of his Bots/Guests/GG/pretty sure others.
I suspect he would clear release waivers at this point.
๐
Ha!!
Is double secret probation next?
Jeff preparing that ban hammer!
We got what we all wanted. He’s been chastened. Let’s not pile on. That’s a Red Sox fan move.
Definitely understand giving Suarez at least one more start with no tipping. Heโs young and could still be salvageable.
They need to try to fix him. He was about the definition of average starting pitcher over 2021-2022. He was 16-16 with about a 4.0 ERA over that time. That has value and it would be good to get it back.
Adds value to a team that wants to stay mediocre, the angels don’t need mediocre as their #4 starter.
Even without the tipping, he rarely makes it 5 innings adding pressure to a bp every start.
Yep. The third time for him is definitely not a charm.
This has always boggled my mind. I threw harder than Suarez at age 16. I went more than 5 innings all the time and that was with me likely walking a bunch of hitters. How is this 200+ lb soft tosser gassed at 4.5 innings? Anemia?
Out of shape for sure. 225 lbs is alot to carry at 5’10
A weekend series with both Anderson & Suarez definitely instills some dread. I’m assuming Davidson and Silseth are essentially the handcuffs to provide 3-4 innings in case of implosion
I mean, we should just start Davidson. Why waste him by bringing him into a game you trail 5-1 in the 3rd inning? Just start him and give him the chance to actually win the game.
While Suarez probably seals his fate with another bad outing on Sunday, because of the money Anderson wonโt be dropped from the rotation anytime soonโฆ
I hope they give him the chance to pitch to somebody other than Thaiss. Unfortunately Wallach started yesterday so it is a good bet that it will be Thaiss tonightโฆ
We are counting on Tyler to be our number 3. To say the situation is concerning would be an understatement.
Yep Hes definitely been more like our no. 2 ๏ปฟ ๐ฉ ๏ปฟ
Because Suarez has more upside than Tucker?
Suarez has been a very solid #4/5 the last couple of years. Now, it might be smoke and mirrors, but heโs younger, can get kโs, has a ++ change up, etc.
If heโs been tipping pitches, then he could be fixed.
Tucker is a great insurance policy. He can enter if needed to slow down a blow out, or whatever, but Suarez should get a few more starts before heโs demoted to the pen – which should TOTALLY happen if he doesnโt right the ship in like 3/4 more starts.
Three to four more starts??? Really?
You clearly donโt understand the value of every win and the damage of each loss in an AL where all 3 Wild Cards are likely to come out of the AL East.
What that means is that the Halos only real chance to make the playoffs is to win their division. We donโt have time to be messing around and letting Suarez blow-up our chances. You canโt afford to go on even a little losing streak nowโฆ In our division with Houston getting stronger and stronger by the day you canโt be casual and rolling the dice with ineffective starters. If we at any point fall 4 or 5 games back in our division there is probably no coming back from thatโฆ
Maybe in the long run Suarez will bounce back and prove to be better than Davidson. But RIGHT NOW Tucker is the better pitcher and thus the better option to start.
Stop giving games away โ start Davidson and stay in the game!
I don’t think Suarez has 4-5 starts left before they make a decision on him. Nevin himself said Suarez is on a start-by-start basis. It’s clear he’s on a very short leash.
Now, if he implodes again in this next start and it’s NOT because he’s tipping his pitches, I think they stash him in the bullpen. IMO, he should be a DFA candidate, but FO believes he will be scooped up by another team in waivers so they don’t want to let go of him, entirely, yet.
Youโre telling me he doesnโt have all those starts left?
Tell jimmuscomp, not me. Heโs the one who suggested that, not me.
Shhhhh. I think he’s just agreeing with you. Demand. Met.
Even so, the comment should have been addressed to jimmuscomp.
Anafranil.
Part of me wants to keep Tucky D in the pen. He has been beyond outstanding and I’m still emotionally scarred from his walkathon meltdown starts last year.
Suarez, on the other hand has proven his worth in the past much more in the pen than in the starting rotation when it was just “Dont think just throw” and the opposing batters probably did’t have time to find his “Tell” I really thought the pitch clock would have been a god send for Suarez but apparently not.
I suspect the Angels want to give him one more chance hoping that the tipping has been his only downfall, since they also don’t want to mess with the Tucky D fireman success.
Exactly where Iโm at.
Should Suarez continue to step on the rake and break his face,
Iโd prefer to see Silseth get the nod.
I just can’t believe we’re debating the merits of Davison and Suarez.
Not good.
I think you need to embrace the Tucky revolution!
I think you raise a very important concept. Not reacting quickly enough to obvious problems has finished us for many years. In addition to the problems with the starters, the bullpen still remains a source of concern. Estevez seems to be shaping up as an adequate closer but the rest is a mess. It is a solid move to give Neto a chance to solve the shortstop problem that wasnโt addressed in the off season, but if Zach doesnโt work out, there is no Plan B. On the positive side, additions of Drury, Renfroe, and Urshela have given us quality and depth on the other side of the ledger. NOW is the time to fix things, not keep running g out Guys like Suarez and Loup, and maybe even Anderson over and over. We will run Anderson out there for the next three years due to his contract. Maybe itโs time to get someone else on the staff to address his issues.
No Plan B? There’s
Fletcher
Soto
Squid
At least one of those B teamers would step up.
As being discussed, CB26 brought it up again last night…..A case for Squid. RengAfo started in all 3 OFโers day off in the last home stand. So after a month, 0 hit Phillips, hands out the HR hat and is a defensive OF replacement for Rengafo. Fastest guy on a team, on a team that doesn’t run. 1 year, low cost easily cut contact. Cut Phillips Today. In no way will we regret that decision.
Squid, hitting .188, far as I know still playing great infield defense. Must be better than Rengafo defensively in the OF, can be his late-inning replacement when Rengafo gives OFโer off days. Squid probably would have saved several late inning runs just in the Aโss series alone as the D utility guy. Can also handle PR duties. He seemed like a team first guy, well liked, I’m sure would love being the HR-hat-hander-outer-guy. Bring up the Squid. Free Squid!
I think both CB26 and Cowboy had pretty good roster ideas for late game defense depth roster moves last night. Worth a look.
Sounds like an awesome plan for any team trying to compete for a World Series.
Wow and it’s not even time for May Gray yet. Why so gloomy on this Friday ML?
“Life. Rendon.”
I’m not gloomy, just realistic. I want us to try to turn it around before it’s too late.
Also Urshela and Rengifo.
Plan C & Plan F?
We need to hope he’s been tipping pitches all year, because he’s been awful in 4 starts so far, not just the 5 HR debacle. What itโs says about our coaching staffs ability to detect and solve that issue, isnโt good. But at least he’s more likely to be fixable, because he was decent as a starter for part of last year.
Many have brought up his era coming out of the BP vs a starter, much better in the pen. Just flip him back to the pen, we definitely need to help there.
I’m all for finding a problem (tipping) and then seeing if solving it makes things work. So OK, give him another start. But four starts if he sucks on this one? Nope.
The fact that you akchuly 2 peepol hoo uhgree with yoo is absurd.
But thennagayne they’re many who don’t believe we went to moon either!
Tucker Davidson is proof that Perry Minasian isn’t even anywhere close to Billy Beane’s league. Especially since he hasn’t even delivered the Angels a winning season let alone a trip to the post season.
BYE!!!๏ปฟ ๐ช ๏ปฟ๏ปฟ ๐ช ๏ปฟ
You keep saying “BYE”, but you keep coming back.
Man. It just doesn’t work when you do it.
Iโll bite.
Davidson is flourishing thus far in long relief and Iโm a firm believer in the โainโt broke, donโt fix itโ mantra – particularly with mediocre players like Davidson.
Should Suarez play his way out of the rotation, Iโd prefer to to with Chase Silseth.
I am not against Silseth. He looked really good early last yearโฆ Not sure weโd see the same guy this time around thoughโฆ My feeling is to give Tucker the ball first if Suarez does not have a good start this timeโฆ
Then, Silseth would get the second chance. Another option would be to add Chase to the mix for mid to late innings if we give the boot to Loup, which I would be in favor ofโฆ
At some point you have to commit though, right? You have to give them a chance and see if they are indeed the real deal. I’d much rather see them go with Silseth, even if he fails at first, than wait for Suarez to try and find it. This is especially true given the stats Cowboy26 put up about Suarez coming out of the pen.
No argument.
Silseth > Suarez. The debate was really about Silseth or Tucker. My feeling is to give that 5th slot to TD. Not that I am down on Chase, Iโm not.
It is just that Davidson is on a roll and I think heโd give us a better chance to win RIGHT NOW. That doesnโt mean I would choose TD over Chase a year or two down the roadโฆ
Yeah. If you’ve got a guy who has seemingly shown he can go at least once through an order pretty effectively, why not see if he can do that a little longer? Play the hot hand. Tucky D. Hot.
“Start the insurance” as actually not a bad idea. Do an opener, see if the change wacks the suffering pitcher’s brains back into shape.
to provide 3-4 innings in case of implosionto provide 3-4 innings after implosion.
^This^
The Hyundai key to the game for the Angels is โCordula Grunโ by Die Draufganger.
I donโt know how this helps the Angels win today, but it is the most Wisconsin song I know. Canโt you smell the bratwurst grilling? Also, this song keeps perfect time with the shuffle bot dance.
https://youtu.be/Xw-g6X8qob0
Yesterday I went down the Japanese hard metal rock scene rabbit hole with the Band Maid post.
Lots and lots of really great bands over there…German Umpaa Bands, I don’t think I’m going there.
Really dig this B/M hard rock instrumental called “Onset.” Lead guitarist Kanami Tลno does shred.
https://youtu.be/mVrN-j_Uc0U
Sweet.
Angels release image of Ohtani/ Trout bobblehead.
Not looking forward to seeing the min. price of $100 on eBay for non-Cali folks
What game is that giveaway?
July 1
how many bobbleheads are there of both Ohtani and Trout combined into one, previously?
I heard a rumor that Shoheiโs mom is getting a bobblehead…One where she is a TigerMom, waving a bat in one hand, wagging a finger on the other, taunting a RedPolo-wearing, cartoonish-looking Evil Arte. Given only to the first 1,500 fans, because…..cheap Arte.
But what if, when he sees it, Shohei frowns or shakes his head? Disaster!
I want an Ippei Bobblehead
Grandpa what’s the deal with the font? Did you finally get that old Brother typewriter fixed?
IBM Selectric II over here
Pen and paper here…old school baby!!
Stephen Hawking keyboard
Stone tablet and a chisel here
๐
It would have been disastrous with GPB’s usual long morning post, so I am grateful that he kept it short๐