Patrick Sandoval has been not so good as of late. He seriously needed a rebound against Seattle. Instead, he gave up 5 runs on 10 hits, striking out 8, and walking none. Sure, a bit of it was bad luck, a bloop and a ball that hit a base, but it was not pretty.
The offense also had issues, although, as the title shows, it was partly bad luck as the Angels got screwed over by the ump so bad that Ohtani was mad. Yes, Ohtani. Needless to say, Phil got tossed for arguing with the ump.
Still, the issue was much more that the offense didn’t do much at all rather than just blaming the umps. Being outhit that hard is not a pathway to success. Sure, maybe a few more runs score and the momentum swing wakes up the bats but 4 hits through 6 innings is not ideal.
In the end, the Angels lost due to not hitting well enough to overcome the bad start of Sandoval. The loss stings, as it breaks the winning streak, and it really shows the weakness of this team lies within the rotation and streakiness of the bats.
Highlighted Recap
Mariners struck first with a 2 run home run in the 3rd.
A single that just got through made it worse.
Ohtani responded with a 2 run home run of his own in the bottom half.
Unfortunately, those two runs were wiped out in the 4th.
Yet another run was allowed in the 7th, making a comeback even more difficult.
Upcoming
Angels finish the series with the Mariners tomorrow at 1PM. At 35-31, their winning streak is snapped, but they can still win the series as Canning takes the mound.
Loved the way that Nevin fought for his players yesterday after the called third strike on a ball 4 to the Sho.
I’m not a big Nevin fan, but I can see why the players like playing for him.
OMIGODDDDD
BOBBY V IS BACK.
Mid-game he will walk into the dugout and take over managerial duties.
/s
I know Nevin won’t have the balls to bench Trout, even if in a non-obvious way, i.e. “day off,” or even put him way down in the lineup.
So I had expected Nevin to already put a slumping Trout in the leadoff spot and switch him with Ward/Moniak batting at #3 instead. Kinda like what Maddon did with some players the last couple of years, and what Nevin did with Ohtani earlier.
Maybe seeing the first pitches first will help Trout with…something, whatever magic there is.
If Maddon were still around, Trout would have been in lead off spot few weeks ago. Gotta try something different. You cannot just send him out in the same spot every f’ckin game. Nevin is clearly old school, giving ‘respect’ to players like Trout and Ward, not so much to ones like Moniak or Adell.
Two starting pitchers I was really high on this year were Sandy and Detmers.
Especially, Sandy, coming off a great WBC performance for Mexico and a pretty solid 2022.
But, they have both been struggling at 3 – 6 and 1 – 5 so far this year.
And, with hitters batting almost .300 against Anderson, he hasn’t been a godsend either.
If the team can turn these guys around, with the emergence of the bullpen, the newfound depth, and Canning and Barria being fairly solid as of late, I think the team can make a push and get to a WC spot.
Or, at least that’s my hope.
To keep The Sho, finally make the playoffs, and to get the monkey off of Arte’s back, we need to make the playoffs and Sandy, Detmers, and Anderson are critical pieces….
Yes…hope for a Sandoval and Detmers turnaround is real and very possible. Anderson? Not so much. He is who we “should have” thought he was. Hope he gives us 5 innings and an era under 5 every outing. Good luck with Wise doing anything to get anything near “Peak Doyer Cheating Form”. That ain’t happening.
3 years of Anderson is hard to take with what we’ve seen so far…
they’ve been pitching much better than their record though
but you’re right – this season depends on them and going in i had high hopes that they were better than Skaggs/Heaney but they aren’t being consistent
thank goodness for canning –
Canning and Barria have been great…..!
I never thought at the start of the season that Canning could have the same won-loss record as the Sho…. 5 – 2
John Sterling is 84 yrs old and Legend. Hit him in the eyebrow and bloodied him.
Yet he closed it out.
https://sports.yahoo.com/listen-to-yankees-announcer-john-sterling-getting-nailed-in-the-forehead-by-a-foul-ball-044323267.html
https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/1667739597152059392?s=20
Nothing better than the proclamation of a must-win on June 11th.
“Must Win” gentleman! Get it done. Show that playoff Grittyness! Finish off a great 5-1 homestand and head to Texas with some Spine and a little F’ you Rangers, we ain’t scared of you.
Watching Texas vs Tampa Bay and have watched the first two games. It is like Mothra vs Godzilla. Really impressed with tremendous offensive power from both teams. Not only that, they do not strike out often, are patient hitters, and many of them aggressive on bases. Their starting rotations are awesome, too; much better than those of Angels.
However, kryptonite for both teams are their bullpen. Angels definitely have better bullpen (excludes Loup) despite losing Joyce for now and will have Moore back.
A split in Texas would be HUGE.
I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and we need to win today’s game to win the series, but projected starters are:
Anderson vs Dunning
Barria vs Gray
Detmers vs Heaney
Ohtani vs Eovaldi
To split, gotta win with Barria and Detmers. Anderson unlikely, not sure what kind of Ohtani will show up against their ace.
Don’t see that happening. Anderson pitches in the first game which means we’ll get slaughtered… that means we’d have to win 2 out of the next 3 games… Texas is just better than us right now and that is a bit too much to ask I think…
“Oh no. Not Aaron Loup” has a terrific 0.05 Actual Runs Allowed per Batters Faced over his last five appearances where he has allowed just one run over 20 batters faced. That’s Moore/Estevez level effectiveness. Have you noticed that Nevin is no longer allowing Loup to come into a game when runners are on base? Only allowing him to start a clean inning seems to be working.
I beg to differ, my evil twin bro! I distinctly recall that Loup started warming up in the 4th inning when Sandoval gave up 5th run to Mariners. So, Loup was probably one more base runner away from coming in that inning. Sandoval got the next 2 outs and clean 5th inning.
Also, Loup owes Trout’s defense for his cleaner innings for the past 5 outings, and he got lucky with AJ Pollock TOOTBLAN yesterday. I think he will blow up soon; he is a ticking time bomb. Just hoping that his implosion does not cost Angels a win.
It’s only taken Nevin over a year to figure out what everyone here already knew.
Forcing a round Loup in a square hole. Thanks Phil, Loup thanks you too. Now we all mock him because of your hard-headedness.
More importantly, Nevin does not allow Loup to come into a game that is tied or a non save lead to protect.
Only Low leverage situations for your $7.5 million dollar man. sure why not?
Especially after the 5th inning when Shohei was “struck out” by the controversial call with runners on 2nd and 3rd (should have been just Moniak at 2nd thanks to ground rule double, not being able to score Neto), Angels went into “preserve main portion of bullpen mode” for today’s win. Thus, they put Loup, Reyes, and Tucky D. Reyes is gone because he failed to prove himself. Tucky, on the other hand, did really eating two innings. Tucky is now our new ‘Barria’.
Man – the Robo-umps can’t hear fast enough for me.
So many bad calls that matter – it needs to be fixed.
So the Robo Umps wont be able to hear our heckling? Thats probably a good thing.
I’ve always been curious how a manager or player and umpire deal with each other the day after a blowup like Nevin had last night.
They will remain “professional”. I also noted Shohei uttered F-word at least twice last night, definitely once after the controversial 3rd strike call, but not at Cuzzi. Who the hell taught him the slang? 😆
I noticed after the HR in the first inning the other night, too!
Good for Shohei!
Man, he’s fun all the time. Even when slumping – he’s just so fun.
Fukui? Fukuoka?
Fukkake…but with a B.
I am utterly impressed with your Japanese fluency with cultural elegance.
No Moniak and Rendon (scheduled) to start. Jimmy Herget is back. Gerardo Reyes is gone.
We are winless since sending Adell down
I forgot to add Urshela not starting. Urshela must still have back issue. Rengifo at 3B scares me a lot. I don’t know why Nevin keeps putting Ward in lead off spot, Trout in 3 hole.
Trout should be in the 8 spot right now.
This I agree with depending upon pitching match ups.
This explains some of that decision. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/batvspitch/_/id/41221/logan-gilbert
But this means Trout goes another day without an off day. So does Trout get a random off day in Texas?
No. Trout RAKES in Texas.
That’s where this slump goes to die.
I agree so why in the hell didnt they rest him at least once in this homestand?
Because he’s Mike Fucking Trout. He will snap out of it.
If he were 35-36 I’d have a different perspective. But he’s just lost right now. It happens.
He will be MFT before long.
They KNOW he’s about to bust out.
He’s flailing- for sure – but he’s gonna fix it. And when he does, watch out!
Or injure himself trying.
What happened to load management?
If he’s not already injured….it would explain a lot, and not a surprise….or like Jimmy is saying, he’s slumping, going to snap out of it, with hell to pay.
or needs laser eye surgery?
It would fall under trAditional guidelines if it took years for him/them to figure out its his eyes.
I’m ready I’m WATCHING OUT, got the popcorn ready! The league won’t know what hit em
Ah, sodesune.
https://youtu.be/sk1Z-Hqwwog
AHA – So we all know his next career is as a Dallas gardener!!!
Before we get too caught up in the ‘Trout sucks’ narrative- he’s on pace for around 6 WAR. It’s only because he has set the bar so high that we view him as having a poor season. He’s actually still a very good player just not the greatest in the game at this point. His stats in clutch situations have been very bad but overall he is still performing at a high level.
Whoa. Imagine if he wasn’t so fat (and now old)
Haha, exhibit a of why war is overrated. Gonna really pretend he’s 6 war player lol, Miguel Cabrera in his 2010-2014 best hitter alive peak was a 6 war player. Supposed to pretend 2023 trout is the same what a joke
WAR is not overrated but your ability to comprehend or analyze it as well as other statistical trends maybe though.
Everyone’s a genius who falls in line with the mob to bow to the altar of war
Also you meant to say may be not maybe, I fixed it for you
Opposing pitchers be like do I wanna face 2023 automatic out trout, or 2013 Miguel Cabrera. Idkkkkkkk they both 6 war players!!!!!!!! Hard to decide!!!!!
Ugh. Why you here? You seem mad. And not bright.
Let’s talk about how decline phase works.
Slowly, over multiple seasons a player who averages 8 WAR a season starts declining. First, to a 7.5 WAR season. Then a 7 WAR season. Then a few seasons between 5-6 WAR. ETC.
VERY Rarely (See Murphy, Dale and Jones, Andruw for counter-arguments) do 8-9 WAR players fall off a cliff at 31. Most likely he’s hiding a small injury, or he’s in the worst slump of his life and pressing because he knows he’s the fucking GOAT.
People losing their shit over 150 AB’s of Trout sucking haven’t watched NEARLY enough baseball. He will be fine and most likely put the team on his back for a stretch of games.
Everyone needs to chill.
Now, Phil could still move him in the lineup – but I’d say make him lead off. Tell him to draw walks – take pitches. Might get his head right.
Regardless. We are complaining about a rough month long stretch foe someone approaching the production of Prime Ted Williams.
We ALL need to STFU.
This is a joke right?? Right?? Lol
No. You are – without doubt – a dolt.
I feel like I get dumber when I read your drivel.
Let’s talk about it! it’s MIKE TROUT the goatyyyy
Cool. You have anything useful to add? Or nah? Because based on your previous comments you are worthless to this community.
Prove me wrong…
Well I’m making you feel smart so I feel like that’s a good deed, that you get to feel that for the first time in your life. You should thank me
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/9cf3dc15-3930-46f0-8f03-70fb9d0d32e7
But There are typically outlier seasons within that downward trend where the player performs at or closer to their prime numbers. Assuming they are not steroid fueled) For Vladdy it was 2010. For Torii it was 2013.
For whatever reason we never enjoyed the benefit of one of those seasons form Grandpa in his almost 10 years here. I always thought that was weird.
His decline has been happening since 2020, buddy. Trouts Obp 2016-2019 .441 .442 .460 .438. Once he turned 28, which is the middle of your prime it was .390, injured, .369, .370. And last year in 119 games he struck out more than he ever did in full seasons 2016-2019. And he hit .242 RISP last year .200 this year bc he can’t hit a fastball to save his life. You trout stans can spin it any way you want, he somehow fell out of his prime at 28. And he sucks in the field now.
Obp don’t matter as much for a free swinger like Vladimir Guerrero who hits .330 bc he can hit anything so swung at anything, and hits don’t get on base as much as walks. For someone like trout who was great bc of plate discipline bc unlike vlad he can’t hit outside the strike zone Obp matters way more. His decline been happening for few years already
Trout OPS 2020-2022 1.013
Trout OPS 2011-2019 1.000
Hmmm sure doesn’t Looks like a decline to me. Man your asshole must be made out of paper.
What has he led the league in since 2019? Tell me
The answer isn’t “strikeouts”
Idiotic comments from ignorant detractors.
And as much as I know you enjoy imagining my asshole, it doesn’t help your argument
I’m not imagining your body parts. You have already proven to all of us what their composition is.
You. Are. Annoying. And not smart. Congrats.
For the millionth time, trout isn’t a free swinger who can hit outside the zone like vladdy. For him plate discipline is huge, so Obp matters a lot more to him. That going down clear sign of decline along with ks up and not leading the league in anything since 2019. Or just can’t hit a fastball is easy way to tell
Leave Britney alone!!!!!
Leave us alone!!!!!
You’re kinda right if I ever saw you in real life you’re prob such a dork that I’d def leave you alone. Only the the internet brings us together
Your the leave Britney alone guy but for mike trout lmao. We ALL NEED TO STFU and leave the GOAT ALONEEEEEEE!!’ He’s going through a lot ok a lot. He’s hidden injury and we all need to calm down
But that WAR calculation projection is based upon a blend of the first month of the season where he generated his usual 1.000+ OPS. Since then for over 150 PAs Trout has generated Mendoza line and below league average splits of .202/.305/.373 Thats a quarter of an entire season of substandard production.These are Grandpa Pujols numbers
There is no way in hell he gets to 6 WAR this season unless gets back to some normalcy of the Trout of old.
If not hes going to make Pujols’ dumpster fire of a contract look like a bargain.
I agree with this and the early season influence on his current numbers. My presumption is he gets back more towards performing at a .900 OPS level soon which would really help this team.
I hope you’re right. I just think anytime a player is in a prolonged slump in their post prime years , these whispers and innuendos are constantly going to be magnified.
I mean war let us know Tim Raines and Rickey Henderson were good, like I didn’t already know that
So, we’ve got our “Ace” Griffen Canning going today….
He’s been nails. I’m cool with him on the mound.
I missed it if this was already posted
https://twitter.com/RhettBollinger/status/1667764827660619783?s=20
At least it wasn’t the flu.
Now what does this mean down the road? More likely to tear it?
Only interested in an opinion from outside the organization.
Smart observation. Unless Joyce hit the “funny” bone playing MMA with his teammates, it is 99% coming from ulnar collateral ligament and ulnar nerve. It will be 2-4 weeks rest and reevaluate.
I mean, really, is anyone surprised that Joyce is having an elbow issue?
Here’s a concept…gotta score enough runs to win.
But on a positive note…still no word from tooty two.
More runs….and less of a Turd Sandwich by Sandavol.
Trout with the Hat Trick in Strike Outs.
The team is 4 over .500 in June with Triut playing terrible ti his standards. Think if he catches fire!
#hope
So we really did waste MNTs best years.
9 Saturday game losses in a row. Only home Saturday game they’ve won was the first series vs Toronto.
Saturday nights alright for the Fightin’ Phillips.
Cause Saturday night’s the night we don’t like
Saturday night’s not alright alright alright, ooh
Saturday, Saturday, Saturday
Saturday, Saturday, Saturday
Saturday, Saturday,
Saturday night’s sucks
I’m going to blame it on Arte somehow…a Saturday trAdition.
Mike Trout was the best player in the entire sport for a decade. I am not going to overreact.
He will be fine.
What is going on with Mike? I keep telling my wife “it’s no big deal, he’s Mike Trout”. Well…it’s some kind of deal at this point. It’s not DEFCON 10 but it’s concerning.
He can’t catch up to the fastball. He said the home run ball he hit the other night, he was expecting fast ball, pitcher threw a slider. He was swinging fastball and connected on a slider, tells me he is losing his reaction time.
He needs to be moved in the lineup. In his last 30 games he’s had a sub 700 OPS and way worse in the last 15. Let him figure it out outside the heart of the lineup.
Mike has been in the majors since 2011. Although it seems like yesterday – MNTs iconic HR robbing catch of JJ Hardy was in 2012.
Trout will be 32 in August and is entering decline phase of his career. His body make-up is such that he’ll still hit HRs, but the ability to square up and drive the ball is fading. He’ll still produce very good WAR and wRC+ numbers, but the days of total domination at the plate and in the field are gone.
No one escapes time. This was bound to happen, however it’s still difficult to see happening.
Father Time and Mother Nature will remain undefeated.
Yes, this is where we are.
He’ll accelerate that body wear and tear because every swing he takes is an attempt to hit the ball 550 feet at 150 MPH, regardless of where and what that pitch is.
He’s the same age as Aaron Judge, 2 years younger than Freddie Freeman who has been in the league since 2010, and only a year older than Harper who has been in the league as long as trout. 31 is still your prime. In general 27-32 is the prime, 33-34 some slight decline and real decline is 35 although many greats like hank aaron raked into their late 30s. Judge is having his best seasons at 30-31, freeman is as good as ever at 33 and Harper would be too if not for Tommy John surgery. All 3 of them will continue to rake well into mid 30s if not later whereas Trout hit the wall early, declined at 28 in 2020 and it’s only accelerated since. His .189 RISP this year on pace for 194ks in only 152 games makes last years .242 RISP, 0-28 stretch during the crucial, season ending 14 game losing streak and 190k pace if played 162 look amazing. Hasn’t hit .300 since 2018, never had a .300 30 100 season, never had a .300 40 season, never won a home run title or batting title, and by 31 is Hunter Renfroe. He ain’t 39, he ain’t even 33 like .336 hitting Freeman, he just sucks. At least Pujols (of the 102 career war, 704 HR, 2 WS titles, and multiple .330 40 130 seasons) was truly injured during his tenure with us, was painful to see him round the bases with the planter fasciitis and not able to put much weight on his lower half. Trout at 31 just sucks.
Trout is wasting his Prime!