Party like it’s 2002 all! The mercurial Angels bounced by from last night’s beatdown with an early offensive outburst.
This really could be a long postgame with a ton of links. Instead, let’s highlight the kids who really brought the lumber.
Mickey Monaik loved the triples alley by the Bay.
One of those doubles should have been a triple as well. Moniak laced a ball to the alley but it got stuck under the padding of the wall and was ruled a ground rule double. Them’s the rules but Moniak coasted into third on the play and it took the Angels first run of the game off the board when Zach Neto was placed back on third instead ruled to have scored from first.
Both Moniak and Neto were cashed in by The Plumber in the following at bat.
Speaking of Zach Neto, he absolutely crushed this ball to left center.
At this point it was 7 to 0 and the game felt over even with this bullpen. The Angels added an 8th run in the 4th and the Giants scored one to make it 8-1. The score remained that way until the home half of the 8th.
Well, about that bullpen. Adam Cimber allowed a run and left runners on second and third for Roansy Contreras who promptly gave up a three run shot to cut the lead to 8-6.
This one should have been a blowout but it turned into a nail biter. After surviving the 8th run Giants outburst the Angels needed three more outs in the 9th to secure the win. Fortunately they got them.
Angels win! Light up the Halo!
Today’s Lineups
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/angels-vs-giants/2024/06/15/745329/preview
I missed on the majority of my preseason predictions. The one that I wasn’t wrong about?
Zach Neto blossoming into a shining star. Elite defensive SS, who can slug .450.
Little doubt that this becomes Big Papa’s team here in short order imo.
I’m happy seeing him starting to hit. My hope is that as he becomes more dangerous he becomes more patient.
one little request…..stop hitting and staring at his blast. Run first, look later.
But he is a keeper. Fun to watch. Might be looking at a perpetual Allstar in the future.
Needs to walk more but what do I know?
Agree about the forecast on Neto’s future.
But we have to find a new nickname for him “Big Papa”just does not fit. Among other things he is a young dude, not a “Papa.” Besides, it sounds too much like a certain chunky steroid using former Red Sox player that we all despise …
But Maybe he likes Potatoes?
Zach-attack
Zackmania
Zachary All ( named after the longtime clothing store in downtown LA that closed in the late 70’s. Who can forget Eddie Naldbandian?).
We were just talking about Ed’s Town Shop in Burbank.
All the cool kids went there in the sixties and seventies.
I like Neto, yelling at the TV for Perry to snag him during the 2022 MLB draft. He certainly has held his own since he was accelerated to the Show. Would like to see SLG above .480 and improve plate discipline to get him into the top 10 offensive SS in baseball. Not a great base stealer, yet, but double digits guy.
He’s got a great arm to play short but not too sure about his range.. Need the Fielding Bible help here. He does seem to consistently make the plays that need to made.
You have a high bar. I would be really happy if he slugs between 420 and 430. If he’s higher than that for SS, he’s a star. His biggest flaw as 26 mentioned, is that he makes too many outs. His OBA is too low, he needs to walk more.
Our little Zachary is growing up and becoming a power threat besides being a good defensive shortstop. 🥹 Seems like only yesterday that he was a just a “hope for singles to drop in, glove first shortstop “
Is Moniak starting to quietly heat up?
3 for 5 no K’s or walks with a run scored and 2 RBI…nice night!!
My son was saying that something about his swing and his approach seems a little different and more confident.
Last 6 Games and 23 PAs: 8 for 23 4(!) Walks “only” 4 K’s slashing .421/.522/.623
We like this Mickey!
Maybe this AB from Thursday triggered something? https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1801453166388732141
WE WON!!!
Zach Neto is quietly becoming a Chad before our vary eyes. Dude had swag for days.
If we get nothing else beyond Beto, O’Hoppe and Soriano becoming foundational studs, I’ll consider 2024 to be a net success.
It’s a really good start.
2nd half season breakthroughs from Schanuel, Adell, Moniak, Sandoval, Detmers please
We can hope.
I don’t see it happening with Shanny during the season though because he needs to completely rebuild his swing.
I’m with you Hobbs. Schanuel has me in major regret mode we selected him. Hope I’m wrong but painful to watch him dig in at the plate. Ugly ABs.
So maybe ‘Swaggy Z?’
lol
If we are committed to trading Ward, this would be a fine time for him to go on one of his 4 weeks benders where he looks like a top-5 hitter in baseball.
Man, Ward looks completely lost lately. 4 for his last 35.
Cimber/cinder/ember almost burnt us down.
Estevez has looked good his last few times out. Did somebody see something and fix him? Or maybe he’s had rest and is fine pitching only occasionally
No idea. The rest is probably part of it.
Rest is clearly the key for Carlos. Which is why he’s an OK BP piece but not a true closer.
Each Angel pitcher goes thru spurts of being dominant followed by long stretches of godawfulness.
I fully expect him to return to Stinkyville soon enough. Just in time for another emotional closed door meeting.
Maybe he’s becoming tradable.
He’s just in the luteal phase of his cycle.