Morning Angels fans. Have some links.
Angels News
Angels blew it so many times yesterday. Who is to blame? Rengifo? Estévez? Trout? I blame Manfred because that runner rule is stupid and I hate it and I hate Manfred.
If only we had another good RP. Oh wait, he is still injured.
We need some good news. How about those Trash Pandas? Their bullpen is ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS.
Around Baseball
There were 3 extra inning games yesterday. Randal “Taken right before Trout” Grichuk walked off the Cubs in the 10th, and Cleveland won at Boston in the 11th.
Bally Sports is dying, but they settled with the Padres and give them 78M. That contract was worth a lot more than that.
Carl Erskine died. So did Whitey Herzog. Old Timers are disappearing one after the other.
Speaking of, Yankees announcer John Sterling is now retired mid season. New voices and new faces, it is a time of change.
Baseball has a TJ problem. It is because of velocity. But that can’t be fixed any time soon. Watch this to hear a pitcher’s perspective. Or this if you want something crasser. (Language)
Angel Hernandez is so bad he is getting airtime. When will we have Robo Umps? I want Robo Umps.
Anything I missed? Post below for upvotes!
We can’t expect Detmers to be super great every time out. I think we’ll need at least 5 runs tonight
Nailed it.
I just noticed the bangers are officially 6-14. We now have one of the WS finalists, ladies and gents!!!
That got me looking at the standings. I think the White Sox are dead, as they deserve to be for 2005
Today’s Lineups
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/angels-vs-rays/2024/04/17/745105/preview
Ok so we put 4 left handed hitters in the lineup, then put all 4 of them back to back.
I like that we don’t have a dedicated DH. This gives various guys some rest while still hitting.
It’s ok for this year since it doesn’t matter but what it means is that except when it’s Trout or Ward, we are exchanging what should be one of our 3 best hitters for someone who’s not even close. The designated hitter position allows you to have someone who is a really good hitter but maybe not a good defensive player in your line up. If you see it as just a replacement for the pitcher hitting, You’re missing tremendous opportunity, and if you actually had a real DH, you could afford to give your players a real day off. The players that we have normally DHing are not currently performing well enough to even be everyday players, much less, a DH. It’s only been 17 games, but we’ve been playing with half a team for 10% of the season and somehow surviving.
This looks like Schanuel’s last stand. One more series that he can’t hit or get on-base, I think he’s sent down by end of April, or sent to the “injury” list.
So much for that ROY campaign.
Another kid rushed to the majors.
Going up in flames because of it.
I think they’ll give him at least another week and probably until the end of the month but I don’t have strong feelings one way or the other. Something is obviously wrong right now. It’s not like he’s unlucky. He’s not making good contact.
And Wash has finally succumbed to the temptation – Logan at cleanup. As long as he’s not going to ask him to bunt. Hopefully there’s no need for that during this game.
When was the last time the Angels had a catcher at the cleanup spot? Napoli?
What was impressive is that when he was asked to bunt, he executed it and almost got a hit.
At least for right now, the order is reflecting what people are actually doing. The bottom however, is really ugly.
lot more empathy for A’s fan now – let me relate. And our Bees will be the third option by the salt lake.
sad and angry, but mostly very sad. tonight is the final NHL game in Phoenix for quite a while if ever. While a big Kings fan since early 70s, i had a long run with this franchise going back to sharing season tickets with a group form work in their inaugural in 1996 season downtown at ‘merica West, to make an annual pilgrimage out to Glendale to see the Kings, and then most recent and most fortunately at the Mullet. Also a few more games here and there over the years and I took my daughters to some Fan Fest events and have pictures of them with Shane Doan and Brett Hull. For the daughters growing up, they were always there and it was a family thing going to see the Kings here. Incredible experience seeing NHL at Mullet too, and am going tonight for the final game. Lots of emotions because i’ve wanted to see McDavid too, and the Kings playoff opponent (yeah maybe not). If you’re just an MLB fan on the East bay, you at least still have options. But no more NHL in PHX after tonight and let me just say one word about that – F*CK!!!@!!
its sad but it will be a crazy night at our little NHL barn
its is the WORST thing for a city to lose a franchise, and completely sucks to lose an NHL one.
‘Yotes forever
I don’t follow NHL anymore… could you give me some more context?
I read this and my only thought is “aren’t the Kings in LA?”
😄
Phoenix is losing their NHL team. Potentially moving to Salt Lake but I think that is still murky.
That’s the latest I heard. They’re going to play at the Delta Center (Vivint Arena?). That place SUCKS for hockey.
stick a fork in it. done deal. they just can’t say its the last game today.
its just Fan Appreciation Day, according to them.
they’ll make the announcement this week, maybe tomorrow, but certainly before the playoffs start. only thing murky now is, if or when a new version of the Coyotes rises from the ashes.
new appreciation for Winnipeg v1 – where PHX got the team from in 1996.
What comes around, goes around.
Phoenix? Salt Lake City? Los Angeles? By cracky, I only recognize Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, New York, Boston, and Detroit.
Experiencing the Cleveland Browns move to Baltimore in the 1990’s, not even a Cleveland native citizen, really, really pissed me off.
It won’t last, especially for Oakland, but it’s nice to see the standings and see that the Asstros have to look up at everyone else’s @sses above them.
Nice article on our new infield coach:
And how is the pitching fielding defense going?
Too soon.
I like Goins more than I liked Dino, and with EY, Bo, JW, this is the bet coaching staff in the majors – whoever is 2nd, its not even close
While I like the thought and dedication to improving, I doubt any of the players wanted to suck. Baseball is a tough game that looks easy. Players are limited to some extent by their abilities. All of this is to say attitude is important but ability are also pretty high up on the list.
Did today’s game time get changed? Was today supposed to be a day/morning game?
tomorrow morning…
i kept thinking we were doing the Patriots Day game again in Boston Monday with an 8am start
Like many o’ you, I like to scour the farm for fun and avoidance. Here’s one of the more interesting “storylines” developing down there… high school kid drafted in the 4th round in 2019… doesn’t pitch that season but doesn’t debut in 2020 because of COVID… pitches one inning in 2021 and blows out his elbow, so he doesn’t pitch in 2022, either… finally logs a few starts in 2023 and now it’s 2024, he’s 23-years-old and he’s logged 25 career innings. Anyway, it appears he’s healthy this year and he’s throwing pretty damn well in high-A. https://www.milb.com/player/erik-rivera-682992
If the Umpires Union was in it to improve their members performances and the game, then very honestly, they would. But like most Unions it’s about protecting members no matter what their job performances are. When their contract is to be renewed, I hope Manfraud stands up to them better than he did the sign stealers.
Hernandez has been a bad umpire for 20 years, he even sued MLB twice that I am aware off. Once for discrimination against Latino’s and once because he was not chosen for All-Star and post season play. What once was performance based for post season and All-Star games is now on a rotation basis.
G-Pa, don’t you know that now anything that is considered “Performance based” is now considered, “[Insert]ism”?
Bring back the Meritocracy!
OMG, so [Insert]ist!
You are hereby cancelled!
I don’t feel cancelled.
BTW, is the color blue Kryptonite for Ohtani?
Yikes!
Wait… is that sarcasm? Did I miss something new?
Ohtani’s hitting with RISP is so bad that Davey Roberts commented on it, around 1-18 or so.
No one player was to blame on last night loss. With that stated I would like to remind those who do not understand why I am not a Rengifo fan. This is a player who has talent galore no doubt there. Almost a 5-tool total player. He can run, he can really throw, he can in streaks hit with power, but he has no glove and I have long ago until today said he will cost us games. Last night he started early in the game with a very good stop and throw 1b. Gubi commented “That was a very good play by Rengifo. A couple innings later he muffed a possible DP ball. In the ninth inning a play on a grounder that he should have made a 3rd out with he booted. Allow me to state again that not one player was at fault for the loss.
Rengifo has a 10-cent head. His plate discipline can be questioned, his base running can be questioned, and his fielding is atrocious. Ten cent head is how I have described players like Renny. Currently if you pay attention to Trout and Neto and Ward, they react as soon as the pitch is over the plate, or the bat is swung. They just are instinctive in reaction. Then you have players like Drury and Rendon who see the ball come off the bat and know they can make an attempt at the play. Rengifo has to think about getting the ball and after having made the play has to think what to do with it. His strong arm is a plus at that point.
When Rengifo makes a very good or great play we all breathe a sigh of relief.
Our esteemed manager has a hard time getting through to Renny as noted by his playing time being more as a Utility type player because of injuries.
I’m hoping they have a quiet chat with Cisnero about comebackers when a man is on third.
Maybe with a marker and a white board.
3.2 innings, 7 hits, 4 earned runs, 2 strikeouts — 9.82 ERA
Bauer’s stats so far pitching in Mexico-Maybe he drank the water and/or ate the worm.
The women who accused him of his supposed crimes has been arrested in Arizona on fraud charges. I think Bauer was crewed by MLB and judged by allegations that never should have been made public.
Well, if no one offers him a job, he’ll get a Kaepernick check in about a year or two from MLB. MLB owners should’ve learned from the last collusion hit that they took.
I’ve seen better choreography at a Kindergarten dance recital.
Didn’t he admit to hitting her even though she was setting her up? I mean, even if he is only guilty of a violent kink, is that the kind of guy you want on the team/representing your team?
Asking for a friend.
Like much of goes on around us, we don’t know what goes on behind closed bedroom doors….and that’s a good thing, none of our business.
But, it’s been widely reported she was into that (as was he). So rich people that like those sorts of things…….find each other.
You don’t need to dig to deep to see she isn’t our best and brightest either. Most of the time these sorts of “things“ with pro athletes, it’s a two way street.
Right, she was terrible, should be in jail, and he should have seen it coming. But he still beat a woman while having sex. That’s unthinkable to me, so a sign he has a bent screw loose. While permission was granted, it’s still grossly wrong.
Alright, whoever wrote “Mastermind” on the sign up sheet for tickets has until noon to come forward and give me more info otherwise I won’t get a ticket for you for 4/27.
Edit: never responded.
“…Bueller…..Bueller…..Bueller….”
LOL
Yeah, it is really frustrating right now.
SI wish I could claim to be Mastermind, but alas it’s not I. I would have very much wanted to join you folks, but health and distance prevent my wife and I to meet all of you for what will be a great outing. We’ll be watching out for all to show up on the screen in some way.
Get healthy GPB!
Someone also added AngelsChamps (not me). Must be fun (/s) to run the site and is why when asked I declined to contribute. No surprise we lose good posters, have trouble growing, or doing anything productive.
Blame Jeff
Well, in that case I stand corrected for who added me. I am still a maybe on going, my kids have to earn it with good behavior at school and helping out around the house. I’m also trying to find something cheaper than $25/ticket. You all do a great job here and going would be a treat for this family!!
I will need to know if i need to save you then or not.
Do not save me. Hopefully will see you there though.
Thank you for answering. We will be at 201.
🤣
I meant to respond to this but got consumed by work and then work.
You’re awesome for putting this together. I REALLY want to go to a meet up, even if it’s just at a bar to watch a game, but I have to go play music on the 27th. But if we do more I will try very hard to get down there and do it.
Thanks. Next time will have a much longer warning so people can plan.
“While the sums in Mizuhara’s case may be remarkable — nearly 25 bets per day, averaging $12,800, and a net loss of $40 million over two years — the behaviors exhibited are unfortunately universal, according to several problem gambling experts.“
That was from today’s Athletic. Ippei was able to increase his credit limit on multiple occasions even while millions in the hole. If the bookie did not think the credit line and debts were backed by a multimillionaire, the bookie’s behavior is entirely unexplainable. It’s completely different from any understanding I have of how credit lines and debts are handled.
Bookies do not let average folks get too deep because they know the debts will never be paid. For significant credit lines, bookies and casinos ask for proof of income and bank records. Ippei was not earning enough and did not have sufficient assets by himself to support that much debt and credit. When he was with the Angels he was earning less than $100,000 per year and yet he was betting more than that amount DAILY on average. This is why I feel there is a big piece of the puzzle missing.
That missing puzzle piece will likely never be found. Safe to assume Shohei knew he was gambling, and I also believe the details could have been hidden from him.
Since you brought it up, I’m going to wack the dead horse one more time. I do not believe the money totals are accurate. No bookie would give that amount of credit to a guy like Eppei, something stinks, and I’m sure now we’ll never know the truth. Anything that comes out now, that might explain some things, will immediately be shot down as a ridiculous conspiracy.
I can see your point, but the federal investigation doesn’t really care about the player and may even go after him more because he is a big name… I’m not sure but I’m leaning towards he had some part in it and we’ll never know.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jontay-porter-banned-nba-gambling-games-giving-info-bettors-limiting-p-rcna148227
And Shohei isn’t dumb, like this guy.
Betts went 5-5 last night. What a hitter.
Here at Crashing the Pearly Gates we all have different opinions, which some like, some detest whether or not you a agree with them and there are those that simply do not give a darn. By now most are aware that I fall in the category of I don’t give a darn. I love reading every post and I am the most likely to like your post.
Last year not long after the draft I said that I thought that using our first pick on Schanuel’s was a wasted pick and boy oh boy did I push the wrong button for many here as just short of tar and feathers was I condemned, one even questioning my background and experience which I chuckled at. Well low and behold, our newest first baseman took off and did so well that Walsh was let go. I thought that if this kid is still displaying how good he is in June of ’24 that I need to say I was sorry to offend the sensitive with my reasoning of why I was wrong in my analysis of Schanuel’s abilities. I started to come around to believing not only that I was wrong and needed to say so, but also how much I liked this kid.
Now the other teams have figured him out and are nowhere near to being fooled by his abilities and size, but now know how to pitch to him. I believe some time in Salt Lake for a month, give or take, and he will return to being a good player that can hit with authority.
He might get sent down today if for no other reason than they need BP depth.
That and an average of batting under .100. He knows the strike zone as good or better than anyone on the team, returning with confidence rebuilt will go a long way I hope.
Schanny is terrible right now to be sure, but Walsh’s slash line is currently: .226 / .317 / .321
Our 1B at bats should go to Drury/Sano for the time being. Hopefully Schanny figures it out later.
Back in the late sixties the Angels had a 1b that could really hit but could field better than anyone in the AL and he was keep around for a few years because he could save the infielders bad throws and save runs. Schanny seems to improve in the field every game, but it will be a while before he can field with Walsh.
Jim Spencer? GG winner.
Schanuel needs to go down and get some time @ AAA to get his swing back.
Hopefully Drury is healthy.
Schanuel was brought up too early mostly because the Angels were desperate to hit on draft picks just out of college and have them perform at the major league level. Having a player who succeeds basically with no Minor League experience happens very infrequently but the lack of any real farm system forced the Angels into that position. It’s not Schanuel’s fault. It’s the Org. I think he is a skilled hitter and good fielder and has loads of potential. He probably needs two seasons in the Minor Leagues which is what most Orgs would have afforded him.
Desperate *to win*. I think he was brought up right when the Angels were still in the race (somehow), and to prove to Ohtani the Angels have the pieces to get it together.
Man, in hindsight, what dumb moves all those were. Fast-forwarding prospects who still need seasoning in the minors to make one guy happy and stay with the team. He truly became bigger than the team, and I’m glad he’s gone for that reason. They didn’t get that desperate with Trout’s then looming free agency.
I can argue Neto needs more seasoning with his bat as well. And unless Schnauel have a Rendon-style turnaround, there’s no way he doesn’t end this season not getting sent down, at least once.
I agree regarding Neto as well – though he is a slick fielder. I am a believer in at least a year of seasoning. It’s such a rarity for players to thrive when brought straight up to the Majors.
And yes – trying to please Ohtani was a very shortsighted way to run a baseball team.
And still got 3 hits and a stolen base in tonights game.
Not bad for someone who deserve to be here.
The “free runner” thing is an abomination. What’s shocking is when a team doesn’t score in extra innings.
Trout up with bases jammed and no runs scored doomed us.
A pop up to the infield in that situation is the definition of an unclutch at bat.
No matter the in’s and out’s, the ups and downs of yesterday’s game was exciting even in a heart-breaking loss. The two teams seem very equal. Soriano showed us he has a ton of promise. Trout had a stolen base, but he continues to have problems driving in runs, not with getting a hit, but even with a fly ball. Ward is having an All-Star season out in Left Field, even his fielding has improved by getting a quick jump and run for the ball. O’Hoppe seems to be the real deal, and Neto can field with the best of them. Moore can through as expected too.
We have collectively gone thru the melt down by the bullpen more times than any of us can remember, it seems we just know ugga-bugga is going to rear up and steal the game. As another game was blown it really didn’t surprise anyone here last night if you noticed, we knew we were seeing a rerun of so many other games of the last decade, and the cherry on top of the pile was not once but twice it happened with two outs which is our Bullpen’s signature. Our lineup is frozen solid when there are no outs and a runner on third. The big surprise is when we do get a run.
But still, we love our team year in and year out no matter the outcomes and we return every year to suffer or rejoice together with those that share our passion.
Do we blow more games than average? I doubt that, even though it may feel that way. I’d bet that almost all fan bases lament their bull pen woes BTW.
Either way, we need at least 7 from Detmers today as our BP is well done.
In 2021 and ’22 we lead the league in blown saves I believe.
OK, but not in 23’ and only one so far this year.
Yesterday was just one of those games where you can point to multiple reasons why we lost IMO. Let’s not forget that the BP held it down in innings 6-thru-8 after Soriano completed 5.
Despite the loss, Angels were able to score the free runner multiple times, they just couldn’t get that 2nd run in.
Since the start of the free runner era, I have a hard time remembering the Angels being able to bring the free runner home. It was failure after failure.
So…..baby steps?
I agree. I was shocked at how many times the Angels scored in extra innings compared to the past. The main issue I saw was the bullpen was used in the sixth, seventh, eighth, and then ninth. Estevez was pitching two days in a row. Once the save was blown, finding any decent arms to throw was a problem.
What? An Angels starter not making it through 6 full innings? I’m shocked, shocked I say. Same old story, every other team has starters that go 7 innings, and we are shocked when an Angels starter makes it through 4 innings, then the bullpen is toast by June.
The combination of short starters in terms of IP plus not having Stephenson or Joyce (or Soriano has he’s now a starter) made it tough.
I thought the same thing. We actually moved the run to third base and often scored without a hit. That did not happen under Nevin.
I mentioned that in the game thread. It’s definitely an improvement over last season – at least to my eyes.
I agree with this take. Getting the runner across repeatedly was actually refreshing and a sign of competent play.
That was a roller coaster ride!
I was thinking that on the way in this morning.