Or would you say goodby? Or would you let it ride?
I had an intense day at work. Sorry if there is not a lot of personality in this postgame. I’ll try, though.
Inning 1:
Mickey Moniak strikeout. Shohei Ohtani double. Wild pitch by pitcher Brady Singer sent Shohei Ohtani to third base. Mike Trout walked. Brandon Drury singled to drive in Ohtani. 1-0 Angels. OK. That’s cool.
Mike Trout advanced to third base. Matt Thaiss struck out while Drury was caught stealing.
Nick Pratto singled. Bobby Witt Jr. also singled. Edward Olivares grounded into a double play. Nick Pratto made it to third base but MJ Melendez struck out to end the inning. Nice work by Patrick Sandoval to get out of trouble.
Inning 2:
Nobody did anything in the second except that Freddy Fermin walked. So what.
Inning 3:
Andrew Velazquez grounded out. Mickey Moniak doubled. Shohei Ohtani walked. Mickey Moniak was caught stealing third base. The Angels were being nice guys today and giving up free outs. Mike Trout struck out.
Dairon Blanco struck out. Nick Pratto also struck out and Matt Thaiss completed the out with a throw to first. Bobby Witt Jr. walked. Edward Olivares singled to send Witt Jr. to third base. MJ Melendez grounded to first to end the inning.
Inning 4:
Brandon Drury popped out to first. Matt Thaiss struck out. Hunter Renfroe doubled. Jared Walsh grounded out to the pitcher for the third out.
Maikel Garcia grounded out to Sandoval. Matt Duffy singled to Moniak in left. Freddy Fermin hit a fly ball out to right. Drew Waters grounded into a force out to end the inning.
Inning 5:
Luis Rengifo struck out on three pitches. Yikes! It’s not like I could do any better, I suppose, but still. Andrew Velazquez lined out to right. Mickey Moniak singled through the middle on a grounder. Shohei Ohtani grounded out to second.
Dairon Blanco walked and Nick Pratto was hit by a pitch. Bobby Witt Jr grounded into a double play, Rengifo to Drury to Walsh. Blanco made it to third base. Edward Olivares hit a fly ball out to Drury at second to end the inning. Patrick Sandoval just kept shutting them down with a man at third.
Inning 6:
Brady Singer threw a pitch to Mike Trout and then doubled over. His manager and the ump went out for a visit. Knee hyper-extension. Bummer! Singer continued to pitch and Mike Trout hit a single to left. Brandon Drury hit a fair ball into the corner in left for an RBI double. 2-0 Angels.
Matt Thaiss flied out to left and Hunter Renfroe singled to left advancing Drury to third. OK. So the new guys who are not so new to the majors are stepping it up once again. The Angels need that if some of the really really new guys are going to spend a bit of time on the IL (and yes, maybe Rendon too). Carlos Hernandez came in to replace Brady Singer. Can Jared Walsh get Drury in from third? Nope. Strikeout. Hernandez was throwing gas. Luis Rengifo grounded into a 4-6 fielder’s choice.
MJ Melendez grounded out to second. Maikel Garcia grounded out to Velazguez at short. Matt Duffy walked and Freddy Fermin flied out to Mickey Moniak in left to end the inning.
Inning 7
Andrew Velazquez doubled to right followed by a Mickey Moniak strikeout. Shohei Ohtani walked. I think Hernandez was pitching like he was terrified of Ohtani. Rightly so, I guess. Mike Trout flied out. Brandon drury was hit by a pitch to load up the bases with two outs for Matt Thaiss. Thaiss walked to drive in the third run. 3-0 Angels. These cleats were made for walkin’ and that’s just what I’ll do. One of these days I’m gonna walk all over you. Doo doo doo dooo. Are you ready cleats? Start walkin’.
The bases were still loaded for Renfroe. I guess sometimes “pecking away” gets kind of gruesome if the other side can’t peck back. The Angels are not here to lose the game though. Why would they be? Hunter Renfroe did finally ground into a force out to end the Angels half of the inning.
Patrick Sandoval came back out for the bottom of the seventh inning. He was still effective. Why not? Drew Waters struck out. Then then Dairon Blanco struck out. Then Nick Pratto struck out for the trifecta.
Inning 8:
Jared Walsh flied out to left while Luis Rengifo grounded out to first base. Andrew Velazquez walked on ten or eleven pitches. Mickey Moniak was batting while Andrew Velazquez stole second base successfully. Unfortunately, Moniak struck out for the third out.
Sam Bachman, he of the overdrive, came in to replace Patrick Sandoval. Bobby Witt Jr flied out to right for the first out. Edward Olivares struck out. MJ Melendez faced over 11 pitches before taking the called third strike. Oops!
Inning 9:
News Flash: The Rangers and the Astros both lost tonight. Shohei Ohtani struck out to start the ninth inning. Mike Trout grounded out to second. Brandon Drury also struck out.
Sam Bachman continued with a chance for a save. Let it ride, indeed!
Maikel Garcia came up and grounded out. Nicky Lopez and Freddy Fermin also were both out to end the game, … “And would you say good bye, or would you let it ride?”
In other words that’s your basic 3-0 Angels victory and the first major league save for Sam Bachman!
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
Angels were ahead 8-2. My mind went wild. Ohtani would re-sign. Angels would make the playoffs. Etc. Then they announce the next pitcher will be a double A lefty making his first appearance ever. Why? The Louper isn’t good but he could go an inning, give up one run, and give no momentum to Royals. The new guy after Canning pitched well was hope for opponent. And that started the blown game.
It’s a shame. I don’t get it either.
Going again with theme of oppo erectile dysfunction:
MLB.com eagerly encouraged the following 4 players to participate in July 15 Homerun Derby, Shohei, Judge, Guerrero Jr, and Alonso among others. I would bet $100 to no for Shohei, Judge or Guerrero. Alonso would only participate if he is healthy back from IL. There are other players eager to participate to win that $1M. Let them have fun.
No reporter asked the proper question, and they should have……Which Tuesday Phillip?
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1670138437289091072?s=20
Or can he play 3B today if needed. Japanese media would have asked that question.
Great article on Spiezio and his recovery and reconnection with his dad. A long read but well worth it.
Spiezio Piece
I read it this AM and it was amazing. Good for Scott for doing well on his road to recovery
It’s been a great 12 game stretch for the Halos.
The Rangers series was especially fun to watch.
What’s amazing is that the Halos have had good success this season despite some of the big guns not performing as we expected: ie., Ward, Walsh, Rendon, and Trout.
Some others have really stepped up and it’s great to see: Wallach, Theiss, Moniak, Neto, etc.
I am not a big Perry M fan. But, we have to give credit when it’s due: Perry’s made some good offseason and draft moves that have helped the team this year.
You have to admit: it is a heck of a lot funer to watch the team this year over the last few…
Totally concur on all of that. I think this team is a #1 or high level #2 starter away from being a WS threat – provided that we get guys like Neto and IHOP back & healthy along with Trout and Rendon giving us something soon.
Keeyo kiyochan? What’s going on here?
going.wav – Myron Cope: “Now what’s going on down there!”
Free at Last.Free At Last. Thank God Almighty. The Plumber is free at last!
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1670125795858173953
Let’s see what tools the Plumber brings this time around.
My guess is that if he can hit, he stays.
Any thoughts on his fielding?
Yeah, range, defense, speed not a strength. But if the hit tool excels, might be able to accept it
Actually I thought his range, glove work and arm strength was above average at the ML level.
Recognizing it’s a small sample size but The Fielding Bible agrees where he has amassed +2 DRS in just 131 innings there.
Conversely over that same period of time Drury has amassed a whopping 0 DRS in 535 innings at the Keystone while Rengiblow has generated -2 DRS in 968 innings at second base.
Of course Defensive stats are so subjective unless you got Lylin’ eyes
https://fieldingbible.com/DRSLeaderboard
How is Rengifo even rated that high?
I don’t follow minor league baseball much, but I’ve seen people claim that Stefanic’s fielding is meh. Is that true?
Who cares? We need the plumber!
ADEEE DO! Plug a hole at 2nd.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E10tTozjxmA
And he’ll paint your car.
right.wav – Earl Scheib, he’ll paint any car for just 99.95: “Righhhhhhhhhhht.”
Ah Blow it out!
Lol…we all had an Earl Scheib in our vicinity. The Walmart of auto body and paint..
Need a New TV?
AmKing.wav – “I Am The King” (“Paul, The ‘King Of Big Screen'”) submitted by Edi.
Those were the commercials, along with Cal Wertherngton car ads, that we had to endure when I pretended to be sick to skip school.
TV was terrible then. Haha
Hahaaa. Speaking of Worthington, they just closed their last dealership in Long Beach last March. End of an era.
He was a big baseball fan. When I was a kid a few times I got to go to the Baseball writers Angel/Dodgers banquet that would kick off the season. He would always show up and sign an autograph with “Cal Worthington And His Dog Spot” I remember one year he brought a hot date in a leopard print tight outfit. And no, her name wasn’t Spot but you get the idea.
But yes – meh is the word on Stefanic’s defense
If he’s meh at 2B, then I’ll assume he has no business at SS.
He has to hit to stay. Pretty simple and the opportunity is now for
him. Let’s hope he can seize it.
I will be watching with curiosity if Angels are leading by slim margin in late innings, would Nevin use Walsh and/or Rendon (cannot hit but can play 3B) for defensive replacement of Plumber and/or Mr. Smurf.
I’d say it’s mostly lack of range, probably not a great arm, but he’ll make the plays
he should. 6 errors this year at SL. Not a lot of errors in his career. 34 games at 3rd and 63 at SS in his Minors career.
Thanks for the info.
Basically he MUST carry his roster weight via the bat….
It’s probably time to harvest Cabbage as well.
Matt Thaiss getting some love as an underrated All-Star pick:
https://www.mlb.com/news/crazy-but-defensible-mlb-all-star-ballot-2023?partnerID=mlbapp-iOS_article-share
But I think there’s a reason why Sandy started calling his pitches last night
I would love to know the details with our pitch calling process, before and during the game. How was it with O’hop? Are Th’ice and Sasquatch that deficient at calling a game? Does Wise, Phillip ever call pitches? Don’t really see either catchers looking in the dugout. Could our pitching be that much better with IHOP behind the plate? How far are we removed from what other teams do, or are we normal?
If our pitch selection and thus pitch performance is so much better with IHOP it just underscores how devastating his injury was to this team.
Only things I know are that Shohei and Tyler A are the only pitchers who call their own pitches, but I did notice Wallach having his own PitchCom push button device to communicate with Shohei occasionally. Wallach looks toward Angels bench, so I assume he gets signs from Wise/Nevin.
Another pattern I notice with this year’s Angels is pitchers are attempting more picks for runners at 2nd base, and catchers throwing back pick. So, I again surmise more signs coming from the bench to the catcher, pitcher and infielders that are involved.
As far as O’Hoppe is concerned, I don’t remember him carrying PitchCom push button device when catching Shohei, but Logan may have learned quickly to communicate with Shohei using such divide had his season not cut short so prematurely.
Unlike Shohei and Tyler maybe we need Sandy calling his !!!!
I think Matt Stassi is very underrated in this area.
Any word if we are allowed to ask about Stassi’s whens and ifs?
Well, I have always liked Stassi as a defensive catcher…but do we have any idea when he’ll be back ??
Well, for ASG purposes, all Thaiss needs are good offensive numbers, which he has, for a catcher.
The possibility of Thaiss turning into a solid asset for the team is incredible. Love to see home grown talent make it.
We are facing old halo alum Mike Mayer’s today. With his 5.06 era and 1.64 whip.
Will we see Cy-Halloween?
I would not be all surprised if Mayers shuts us down for 5,6, or 7 innings. 🧛♂️
I feel good about today. I think we’re going to put up a crooked number today. Even though 7-9 hitters are cause for concern.
Micky’s at leadoff. Need I say Moore?
Forgot who mentioned it yesterday, but it was mentioned that KC was going to use an opener for today. Didn’t know it was our old friend Mike Mayers. He will be fired up against his old teammates. Hope that we score early and often and Mike would be just an opener. 🧛♂️
You can’t say Moore because He’s still on the IL
If Estevez pitches today that would be 4 appearances in 6 days. I doubt PTP and Phillip would allow that.
That means Devenski is the defacto closer today. Would Webb be available? How about Soriano?
I’m concerned we’re going to be stuck with some high leverage Poup if needed today unless Phillip wants Ingram making his MLB debut in a Tight ball game.
Kolton Ingram asked, when can I play?
Never seen him pitch, but got a sneaking feeling that he will come in today. Hopefully relatively low leverage situation.
Bachman really helped us yesterday …Let’s hope Devo can likewise go 2 innings today if needed …
Revenge matchups are a real thing…
Will he haunt us on Halloween in June ??? 🎃
From the leakiest ever premature ejaculation department:
Tom Verducci of SI declares AL MVP is over.
https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/06/16/shohei-ohtani-los-angeles-angels-win-al-mvp-race
Cliff note version:
-If it wasn’t for Judge hitting 62 homers last year, Shohei would have been looking at 3rd straight AL MVP.
-Shohei would be able to win AL MVP just with his offensive numbers alone at this pace. Through 71 games, he is the second hitter with >0.300 BA, 22HR, 10SB, 3 triples since Mike Trout of 2018.
-He is hitting everything. HIs past 7 homers have been hit off 5 different pitches (2 sliders, 2 cutters, 1 sinker, 1 change up, 1 four seamer). Four of them went further than 440 ft.
-Ohtani is having a season of that is a combination of peak Mike Trout and Justin Verlander, and a career that is a mash up of Frank Robinson and Whitey Ford.
BTW, Las Vegas odds for AL MVP per FanDuel today:
Ohtani: -400
Judge: +1600
Semien: +3200
Franco: +4800
If you bet $10, you win $2.50. Should have bet two days ago when I could have won $4.. 😰
Addendum: HR title could be icing on the AL MVP cake while Judge, Alvarez, Alonzo, and now Muncy are on IL. Current odds for Shohei winning HR title is +350, leading the second best Schwarber at +440.
By the way, I imagine Shohei does not even give a second about HR title or even AL MVP race. The most important accomplishment for him is that he contributes to Angels win and eventual playoff spot. Nevin intimated that Shohei being upset that Judge won MVP last year, but I thought Nevin was fibbing. I have never seen or heard from Shohei saying anything but praise for Judge.
It might be difficult to win that AL MVP award since he’ll be playing over a third of this season IN THE NL!
😆
Why not AL & NL MVP in the same year?
They’ll create a new MVP award just for Shohei
If Shohei stays healthy, it’s his. Every writer fawns over him
Defense and base running fundamentals be damned
https://www.mlb.com/news/wild-play-in-giants-dodgers-game
PM should have Mozeliak on speed dial for Nolan and/or Goldy. Cards are literally in last place in NL and look primed for rebuild mode. According to the BTV trade simulator, Nolan and Goldy combined have negative trade value due to Nolan’s contract (lol this seems faulty). These two would add another $29M (prorated) to the payroll this year, but Arte claimed the LT wasn’t a barrier for the right deal. Can you say win now mode Arte? Trout ain’t getting any younger!
Goldschmidt is an interesting proposition despite his age since I believe he’s only signed through 2024.
Nolan would be a great pickup but no way we make that trade as long as Rendon is under contract which goes through 2026
I think Nolan and Rendon can coexist on the roster with the latter being a candidate to take over 1B given his defensive struggles at 3B.
Not if we acquire Goldy.
If we have given up all hope of Shohei returning next year, and Rendon is out fir the rest of this year this would potentially be a great pickup. I’m sure Nolan would love to come home.
Angels are 40-32 !!!!!
5 losses back of the division
6 losses back of WC1
1 loss back of WC2
1 loss back of WC3
6-17 Rooting Guide
Angels > Royals
Cubs > Orioles
Blue Jays > Rangers
Reds > Astros
White Sox > Mariners
Red Sox > Yankees
Let’s keep it rolling !!
The rooting guide! Love it
A win is a win, but we’re damn fortunate to be playing a hapless team given the number of key injuries we have currently.
Sometimes it’s when you play them. Texas is slumping, KC is in an eternal slump, but now slumping within their slump. Lucky us, all part of a good team, capitalizing on slumping teams.
But TrAdition dictates if you’re slumping We’re just what the Doctor ordered.
That is kinda what I don’t like about playing a team on a 7 or 8 game losing streak … They are DUE to win one eventually and you hope it doesn’t come against you..
KC’s losing streak is 10. 😳
They are way overdue.
Meh. Not until they reach 14.
They don’t plan on inducing labor until next week. 😀
🫄
Scoreboard watching update.
Red Sux and Reds up again.
Get that .001 and be a W/C.
Nice performance by Sandy…
Winner. Winner. Double wiener dinner.
Tied with the Asstros Cheaters, that makes my Friday night much sweeter.
I will admit I had written Moniak off as he didn’t really impress last year and i relegated him to filler status. OMG, I was so wrong. You gotta figure though, the first player selected overall probably has more potential than most.
27 Strikeouts and only 2 walks in 80 PA’s is very concerning but man hes driving the ball well right now.
Moniak is at 250 MLB PA’s now. His K Rate has dropped this year vs previous years (33% vs 39%) but his walk rate has stayed anemically low ( 2.3% to 2.9%) Granted these multiple MLB call ups can be considered small sample sizes but the K rate & BB rate have been consistently bad. My concern is that it’s rare to have a player in todays game consistently perform above league average level that does not walk very much.
There are exceptions. Probably the best comp I can come up with ( sans the alarming strike out rate) would be Garret Anderson. GA always seemed to hit near .300 (other than when he was dealing with that freak inflammatory arthritic condition) and had good power to all fields. If Mickey can somehow cut down on that K rate ( GA’s career SO rate was 13.3%) I think We’ve found our next GA. Although someone needs to tell Mickey to stop trying so hard on defense.
Again, gotta be careful with small sample, but
Neto walk rate (5.5%) K rate (21%).
Neto would be a better lead off hitter compared to Moniak, though I would not move him Neto from 9th spot for now. Why ruin something that is working.
P.S. I used PA as denominator for walk rate. Should I have used AB instead? For K rate, I used AB.
I like to use Plate Appearances. That way a player that walks alot ( or gets HBP alot) does not get penalized with an overstated K rate.
Great rehab start for Sandy!