I took my son to the game on Tuesday night. Just a father and son watching the game. He’s learning the game through Ohtani. He knows when Ohtani is due up to bat, he knows we have to get three outs so we can bat. He has absolutely no idea just how great Ohtani is. My son is 5 and Ohtani is his favorite player.
And all Ohtani did was have one of the best individual games in MLB history.
That is ridiculous to link. If somebody had asked me at any point in my life up to the last three years if it was even possible I would have said “no” without hesitation.
I can keep linking the insanity.
And it goes beyond bombs and K’s.
And just to put them all into one table.
I talk all the time. So much so that I even write as a hobby. Yet I’m at a loss for words when it comes to Ohtani.
With Shohei Ohtani, baseball truly feels limitless. Enjoy that long form with your coffee.
In the things that really do matter, the Angels are great when it comes to CHOC. Putting smiles on sick kids faces is priceless and they continued to do so this week. These two going above and beyond and shaving their heads deserves special mention.
Speaking of medical care, Anthony Rendon is getting close to coming back and there’s a host of other Angels injury news here.
One tradition the Angels have abandoned is lighting up the halo on the Big A only after a win. When and why did they stop that?
And congratulations Eduardo Escobar on becoming a United States citizen.
From around the league:
A guy who has been caught cheating twice this year threw a perfect game. Pardon me while I remain skeptic. Even if he did do it legitimately, he’s still a woman beater who shouldn’t be in the league.
But the cheating woman beater plays for the Yankees so his accomplishment is to be celebrated with no mention of his cheating or character.
12 million babies have been born since Bryce Harper’s last home run.
Arte Moreno is famous for never giving in and cutting his losses. Will Steve Cohen be the same?
The home run derby is fun to watch. And Vladdy Jr. will be in it again.
Enjoy your pre holiday weekend and link what I missed.
Sacrificial Lamb 🐑 will get picked up. So PTP sent Squid packing and held on to fan favorite Renny, smfh. We thought we got hosed by Arte when Albert was signed, boy oh boy, this Rendon deal is a killer. No one wants Wantz, but he is better off in SLC. Speaking of Rendon, he doesn’t do much right anymore but hit in the clutch, that doesn’t suck on this team as no one else can do it. Mederos-meh, another Davidson type. Rendon returns, Neato Neto soon to follow is even better news. O’Hoppe, Bing-Bing (Ricochet Rabbit) is pushing himself to return as soon as he can. BTW we will take this series, I noticed the player I voted for at NL first base is injured, Join the injury club Diamondbacks. The Umpires just don’t get it, they do not self police and weed out the bad ones and make MLB Umpiring the best it can be, but they’ll squeal when they are no longer needed. I have never seen so many people, player’s or manager’s peeved, angry, and add in being tossed in a half season like this before.
Padres got walked off in bottom of 11th inning by Reds, inching closer to making Blake Snell and Josh Hader available soon. Hader had a dominating shut down inning for Padres.
I wonder if Mederos will ultimately take Barria spot as the 6th starter in his last 3 starts at AA he put up some much better numbers:
15-1/3 innings 3.52 ERA 26 K’s 8 BB’s .154 BAA. 2 HRs allowed
Adell, Wantz, and Velazquez back to AAA.
When I first saw this, I thought they are going to use Cy-Rookies
https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/1674911722325553152
Also Victor Mederos’ promotion will require a jettison off of the 40 man roster and I dont think there are anymore injured players left that can be relegated to the 60 day IL so this means goodbye to someone on the 40 man.
I am sure Sammy is on it as we speak.
Actually it was our friend Sarah Valenzuela. The Lamb was finally Laid down.
https://twitter.com/LAAngelsPR/status/1674917769807302656
It’s like when I gave that beautiful $20 flower lei to my dance date, and I did not get lei’d that night.
I was think more along these lines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hioAbdhfN_w
Obviously they weren’t playing in New York
Lineup
Ward LF
Ohtani DH
Trout CF
Rendon 3B
Moustakas 1B
Renfroe RF
Escobar 2B
Wallach C
Fletchet SS
This explains that ^^^^
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1674912211050074113
we have plenty of infield depth – this is fine
I thought sky diving was prohibited. 😆
How about scuba?
Glad to see Trout getting some real protection in the line-up
Why? I thought they wanted another kid.
The same goes for Shohei, who has been greeted with frequent IBB treatment lately.
😂
Snakes and Apple ?
What could possibly go wrong there? Sounds innocent enough.
I take that you are not a big fan of cold blooded reptile in suborder of Serpentes and Steve Jobs?
Now we’re talking.
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1674912743839928321
Nothing unusual there. I presume that he will use ASG break for gradual increase in his activity and he might actually do some sim games or rehab assignment in minors after ASG before he is back in Anaheim. Still looking at late July.
David Fletcher’s brother just got called up and he is starting in left field for AZ tonight
Hi, Lana! Jeff Fletcher of OC Register reported the news this morning about what he called as bittersweet meeting of brothers who suddenly lost their father recently.
I hate that this occurred because Corbin Carroll, legit NL ROY candidate, got injured. But, as Angels fan, this actually increases the chance of our victory. But, Dominic could display his inner fortitude to win a game or two against us because it’s trAdition.
Very sad. They are young to lose their father. Do you know how he died?
I did not read anything as to how he died. Angels rightfully were mum about it when Fletch went on bereavement list. I assume they wanted to protect his privacy. My best guess is cardiovascular since it is the number one cause of death in middle aged men in US.
Jeff Fletcher only wrote that Fletch’s Dad was 60 years old and he died suddenly and unexpectedly
Victor Mederos’ Trash Panda strikeout numbers are really good 11.5/9 while his BB/9 (4.0) and HR/9 (2.1) are not so much.
Maybe the less slimy balls in nahein will improve those control numbers.
I’m surprised that Rendon is playing today as I thought they might hold him out until after the AS break, but with that being said, LFG.
The team is better with than without him.
According to radio, Aroldis Chapman got traded to Rangers.
Just checked, damn if it’s not a true story. Rangers are in it to win it.
Solid move by Tejas.
Little too late for Minasian. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall to hear what KC wanted from Angels for Chapman.
I wonder if this aggressive early move by Texas will get Perry moving more quickly. It might trigger the entire market for that matter….
What do you mean? we already did that with the Moose.
Moose & Escobar were reactions to a rash of injuries…. and Walsh being totally washed as an MLB player, but the real impact
moves will be pitching related.
I have not read the details yet. And, I am little surprised that they made the move fairly early because KC could have waited a little longer for larger haul.
There will be other pitchers available in July. Right now I still like Blake Snell and/or Josh Hader.
Ky Bush is someone every team likely asks for when Perry calls
Along with Joyce, Bachman, Soriano, Moniak, Neto, O’Hoppe. Even Shohei just in case Perry might have some brain fart. Never hurt to ask.
What? Nobody wants Padlo?
He could not crack the code. 😆
Texas gave up Cole Ragans and outfield prospect Roni Cabrera. That doesn’t look like much to me.
I agree. I am surprised that KC did not hold longer. Ragans is the pitcher that gave up 2 run home run to Shohei in the top of 10th and Angels came back to win after 1-5 deficit. I am sorry that he is no longer pitching for Rangers.
Damn !
Does cutting your losses include JUp or Albert? Maybe Rendon soon? What about Eppler signing an extension and being then cut loose?
Owners spending over 300 million probably expect results. Silly Owners.
Rendon is 99.9% playing today. Let’s see how he does.
My thoughts are with Rendon, down the road certainly. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but down the road for sure. His fielding is not what it was, his bat is powerless and he has not much speed. But he has a nice smile.
As Shohei is focused on this season, nothing else, I still think Rendon is the best “protection” batter for Trout and Ohtani. Not Renfroe, not Drury, not Escobar, and not Moose. If what Trout intimates “It’s coming” translates into true back to form hitting, then we will have quite a trio of power hitters for the next 8 games.
Whatever happens after successful Angels postseason, that’s for Arte/Minasian to figure out.
His fielding is better than Rengiblow and probably better than Escobar.
I think Rendon is playing today.
https://twitter.com/SamBlum3/status/1674892950407626753
Great now our back up shortstop is Rengifo.
Difference in their personality.
I would rather have Squid, but PTP is thinking about 3B options if Rendon is injured again, which he will be naturally.
Thats why we have Escobar Grandpa. He can play third all day long.
Rengifo has pictures. How in the world is Squid not considered a better option than Renny?
I’ve always felt that if I agree with 60% of what a politician believed I was doing Ok in my choice. Well, apparently that goes with a GM of the Angels. Sometimes I just can’t get behind PTP and his moves.
Let’s see;
I have already posted similar analysis, but I believe Squid having an option back to minor is the reason why he got sent back. It will be a “battle” between Fletch and Rengifo from now until Neto is back. The next 3 weeks or so will be on field evaluation who will survive and the other DFA’d. You probably know who I am rooting for.
Always go with the glove as a backup.
While I wait for Angels starting lineup to be officially announced and possible roster change as I predict Rendon to return sometime during this series, I would share some information on Yoshinobu Yamamoto that was reported on MLBTR and Japanese newspaper.
Yamamoto is a righty pitcher for Orix Buffalos, Ichiro’s old team, who won last year’s NPB championship. When Shohei mentioned there are other better pitchers than he in NPB, he probably implied Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. Yamamoto has won two Sawamura awards (equivalent of Cy Young) past 2 seasons. He is expected to be posted after this season. He has just won last night over Nippon Ham Fighters acquiring NPB leading 7th victory of the season. He throws mid 90MPH fastball with devastating splitters and pinpoint command. He did pitch in WBC in case you want to see his pitching style.
Only bad news is that he has to go thru the posting system. It’s blind auction system, where the highest bidding MLB team is the only team who can negotiate for his service. I can dream that Yamamoto pitching with Shohei as co-aces for some team next year.
Yamamoto will be 25 years old in August. Just for comparison, MFYankees paid $155 MM x 7 years for Masahiro Tanaka’s service. He was 25 years old then. They also paid $20 MM separately to Rakuten Eagles as posting fee.
It is estimated that Yamamoto will garner at least $ 200 MM x 7 years.
prediction:
Ward – LF
Ohtani DH
Trout – CF
Drury – 1B
Renfroe – RF
Rengifo – 2B
Escobar – 3B
Wallach – C
Fletcher – SS
Rendon is playing 3B today. 99.99999%
Ohtani got IBB’d x 2 yesterday. I think Rendon will hit behind Trout and Ohtani. Ohtani needs protection ASAP.
Rendon always bats 4th
You are preaching to the choir, sir!
Is it better to be half right than half wRENg?
It will be intriguing to observe the “battle” between Fletch and Rengifo for next 3 weeks, one of whom will be probably be DFA’d once Neto is back in late July.
It really isn’t much of a battle . I dont believe Fletch can be optioned anymore by the time Neto is ready to return so bye bye RengiBlows
If that is the case, and I’m sure it will be, take the backup with the leather always.
( assuming that you’re into that sort of thing )
Question: If the Angels could only acquire one of the following, which would you prefer:
1.) Proven reliever (example: Chapman)
or
2.) #2/#3 level starter (example: Giolito)
????
Not proven but at least Perry’s trying to improve the Bullpen. https://twitter.com/SamBlum3/status/1674891549732380673
Andrew Wantz is getting on a flight to SLC with Squid as we speak according to Bollinger.
Reliever. Bullpens are important and affect more games than a starter, at least in the regular season
Starter and everything slot down one space…Barrla back to long relief.
The Moose was must more productive than I thought he would be, so good for him. It would be Ok by all of us if he continued this pace until the end of the World Series. 😃
The downside of Moose is that he must HIT his way onto base because pitchers aren’t going to walk him & he’s a GIDP machine due to his lack of speed.
Moose has a walk rate of 12.6% this year. Trout also has a walk rate of 12.6% this year. Rendon is at 12.8%. So it actually seems like pitchers are quite willing to walk him.
His career rate is much lower at 7.4%, but that is still higher than Renfroe, Drury, Urshela, Fletcher, and Rengifo.
Id be more worried about Moniak. That dude does not like to walk.
You’re not impressed with his 3 walks on the season? Haha
Totally random thought. Dusty Baker is going to be the manager of AL All Star team. He gets to decide who the starting pitcher is. Would Baker be sly enough to put Shohei to start and keep him there for 2 to 3 innings to tire him out, knowing that Shohei is the projected starter against Houston on the following Friday? Nevin has something to say about that, right?
Well…they are the cheaters right?
Baker would totally do that.
I just hope Shohei begs out of pitching. He was selected as DH — It think he should say “I’m only hitting in this game.”
There is Japanese tradition that would require Shohei to pay utmost respect to the elderly, especially a person of Baker’s stature as World Series champion manager. So, it cannot come from Shohei. Nevin has to talk to Baker.
What about Shohei’s agent?
Would Shohei’s agent talk to Baker?
Oh, right. No, he wouldn’t, unless given permission to do so by the Angels.
edit: Man, that’s my second brain fart in one article. I think the loss last night must have screwed with my head.
Would Shohei’s Mom?
He didn’t have any problem telling Nevin he sucked … 😂
It will be decided prior to the All-Star Game as to who starts and how many innings Shohei will pitch in, it’s is only which and when the inning Shohei will pitch in being Dusty’s decision if even that is not predetermined. Dusty has to much credibility to play any games and he was not the manager when the Asstros were cheating.
I am hoping since ASG is being held in Seattle, Luis Castillo get the starting pitcher privilege. That would be a well-received decision.
Baker would have consulted with Nevin regarding Shohei if he is to pitch and with Servais if Castillo is selected to pitch, right?
It is all decided prior to the game, remember the season is not an exhibition set of games.
I just remembered that Team Japan’s manager Kuriyama had to get permission from Nevin regarding Shohei and Bob Melvin regarding Yu Darvish during WBC, about everything from practice to how many innings they can pitch. So, I thought Baker would do the same as courtesy.
At least for the time being, we won’t have Kevin Padlo to kick around any more.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/06/angels-outright-kevin-padlo.html
I’m not opposed to signing bums but I hate that Perry signs bums, then adds them to the 26 man roster, then insists they play. And then finds out what everyone else knew and DFAs the guy
Dumpster Diving…trAdition!!
DD Sucks!