Kikuchi was back on the mound, the only Angels starting pitcher to not have his team win this year. Sure he had a quality start last time but 3 er in 6 innings is ehhh when you’re opponent is rude White Sox.
So how did he do against a real team? Against the Cards he went 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits striking out 6 and walking 5. Very small sample size but is Kikuchi the worst Angels starter at the moment?
Highlighted Recap
Mike Trout is back with his first home run of 2025!
Sadly, Kikuchi also gave up a home run.
It really sucked when Kikuchi gave up a 2nd home run to the same player in the 6th. A 2 run blast this time.
Luckily, a single, a should have been an error but was a hit hit, and a hbp meant that Logan had the bases loaded with no outs and had a chance to take the lead. And he did this.
It was a 5-3 lead and it was up to the bullpen to get this home.
Aaaaaaand it was blown immediately. By Ian Anderson and a really bad throw by Lopez.
And in the 8th Ian Anderson was sent right back out there and loaded the bases before being yanked. But Burke couldn’t keep them from scoring, walking in 2 batters. And then a single for 4 runs total in just 20 pitches.
But he was left in even after that and allowed a third home run to the catcher COME ON.
Yeah. That was it. Game over. Down 7 going into the 9th. Ballgame. Angels lose badly.
Upcoming
No game tomorrow. Home opener on Friday. Jose Soriano will be on the mound against Cleveland. Drink up.
Shohei lmao
Am I trippin or would relievers pitch two or sometimes three days in a row if need be the last 30 years? Feels like the last 5 or so years it’s been declining.
I remember our 6-9 inning guys in 2002 pitching virtually every day, including the playoffs and the World Series, at least whenever they were needed. I don’t remember Scott Schoenweis taking the 9th because Percival was tired.
We need to stop coddling these baby prima donnas. No one gives a damn that we had to use 40 pitchers to get through last season
yes we lost today but I found an interesting tidbit. Last I looked, until just now, CBS Sports had us at 0.0% of winning the division and 0.0% of making the playoffs. They’ve changed it to 2.7% for the AL West and 6.6% for playoffs. That’s significant I think. It might seem like nothing but it’s up from zero. They still pick us for 4th, which might be accurate. It’s nice, though, to see us with an actual number now.
also, I believe they had us winning 63 games as of yesterday and now it’s 71.5
Wooo weeee. Ian Anderson and Brock Burke…. my gah way to announce your presence there boys. I guess a hot spring isn’t everything. Both looked pretty damn good till these outings. Hope it’s just a blip….
If Paris was in there he would have hit two home runs per at bat and we’d have won.
Paris wudda hit seven jacks today. Stoopid Wershingtin hopped up on Camels.
Menthol Virginia slims
It’s one game, oxygen, oxygen
La Marseillaise!
Victoire! Victoire!!
Lord, some of the drivel on this site is fantastic. There is an entire league of MLB-level managers waiting in the wings.
Lmao I resemble that remark
I have been waiting almost 20 years for CoachDad to tell me what will work instead of what should have worked or what they now know isn’t working since they just watched it on TV. Better yet, what will make a player do the things that work that have not been tried yet. That would be a big help.
Apparently this site is full of people whose ideas always work out great and I just haven’t heard of them yet…. nor have they used the billions they’ve made being right constantly, or at least fixing what’s wrong easily, to just buy the Angels and aim their genius at the team.
Or, we could just listen to you since you’re always right and no on else needs to post. But then we would miss out on hearing from all the individuals on here who actually are equally or more knowledgeable than you who are apparently idiots and always wrong. How do you ever learn anything if you always assume everyone else has nothing to offer. Mocking people who have opinions or ideas that are different than yours by calling them stupid instead of maybe offering some sort of substantiated alternative doesn’t do anything to advance any of your arguments. but if it makes you feel good, knock yourself out.
lots of huffing and pissing about the lineup – fine
– but consider this is likely the front office idea, and not Wash’s ???
It’s probably Wash’s. Got to run guys around the track a few times and see what he’s got. Pretty much all the guys. A few different line ups. Etc.
It’s not abnormal or mind blowing at all.
Six games in, there have been many more positive aspects than negative ones. One downside from winning tough, long, tight games, is a gassed bullpen. We’re still in the ‘discovery’ phase in terms of who can be trusted in the pen. Bullpen hierarchy is always fluid, especially early in the season. That being said, Ian Anderson looked like he’s just a bad outing away from delivering for Prime. I’m not panicked. Who’s going to the Big A on Friday? Where’s the pregame spot? Golden road? Karl Strauss?
I’m going Saturday.
The back n forth has been fun to read… I agree with almost everyone here that Paris should be playing more but also that Wash is trying to figure out what he has (bullpen) and get others ABs to see where they’re at.
I thought for sure today would be Kikuchi and Detmers. Not sure why it wasn’t.
I guess they didn’t want to use Detmers because he threw Monday. I read that below. No worries I guess.
Exactly. Not particularly great team lost game. There will be more.
Because Detmers pitched 1-2/3 innings and 40 pitches les than 2 days ago and apparently he doesn’t piss fire and grit like them real ballplayers used to. So I guess whimpy Reid was only available in case of an absolute emergency and, Since Ian Anderson (who had never pitched in relief before yesterday’s outing) gave up 6 hits in 1+ innings and Burke followed that up with 2 hits (incl a HR) and 2 walks in 2/3 of an inning.
So yes, that constituted an emergency .
But one could also ask was it better to try to take your chances in one game with only 2-1/2 available out 8 total bullpen pitchers and then have everyone available for the weekend home opener or should they have sent down one of RJ, Detmers Zeferjahn or Joyce ( the only 4 in the pen with options) for a minimum of 15 days.?
Why was that an “emergency” if the game was already over? And at that point it was. So, let me get this straight, it is okay to pitch a supposedly exhausted Detmers when it is 12-5, but it is NOT okay to pitch him even for 3 batters when it is 5-5 and your prior pitcher just surrendered the lead you had taken on a grand slam ?
If you just need somebody to burn innings why not put in the position player Lopez who you were already very willing to pitch in the first week of the season? Either way, there was no reason to put Detmers in during a lost cause game. It just made Washington look like an idiot.
Because a team must be losing by 8 runs to bring in a position player to pitch (which I’ve already posted).
You keep fighting facts 😮💨
I am not fighting anything. That doesn’t even address my main point, which is why pitch Detmers at all if he is truly “exhausted.”?
He only pitched 1/3 of an inning, lol ! But that would have involved him throwing a number of pitches in the bullpen to get ready etc. For a game still in the balance that makes sense, for a lost cause it doesn’t. Burke could have easily pitched to one more batter.
Thus, the decision to use Detmers at all when he was supposedly only available for emergencies makes zero sense.
Because his arm was falling off Frosty. And Burke has been a very effective close and late reliever out of the pen. No question he was the right guy to save the game after Anderson shit the bed.
BTW did you know Under MLB’s draconian rules you have to be down by at least 8 runs before you can bring a position player in to pitch? That was never a possibility . Plus Detmers had to warm up so they made the call to warm Detmers up even before the 7 run deficit .
It still doesn’t explain Washington’s logical inconsistency. Either a guy is available to pitch or he isn’t. Period. If Detmers could pitch in the 8th then he could have pitched in the 7th. AND if Wash chooses to pitch him at the necessary and RIGHT time they could have won the game.
Now, granted I did not hear Wash’s pre-game and did not hear him discuss who was available and who wasn’t. Clearly, Ryan Johnson was unavailable, no matter what. If the team has to forfeit sometimes that’s it, he’s not pitching. That I understand, but not this mealy-mouthed stuff about “emergencies.” I mean, if the Aqualung implosion was not an emergency I don’t know what is…. so to NOT use him there but then to needless pull Burke one batter before the end of the game to bring in Detmers. Idiotic is the only word I have.
Really Frosty? You mean to tell me you have never seen a team bring in a starter to pitch late in a regular season game because they have no other pitchers?
I mean how could you forget this wonderful game? https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ANA/ANA201907250.shtml
Baseball aint binary. Its Baseball
BTW Jeff Fletcher at the OC Register does a pretty good job keeping you informed on what he is hearing on who is available down at the pen. hes got his own color coded system. You might want to check on his pregame and in game information to stay more informed. https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1907483204396732786
This team, which will likely not be very good, is still about 25 games away from knowing who is what where in any way. But patience is a skill and most “true fans” don’t have it.
Many more than that I believe.
I usually use the 40 game mark as being indicative of what we have.
It may take most of the season to truly evaluate and adjust your plans.
I’m stoked Jack err Nicky Lopez was able to go 0 for 4 with a run costing error today.
It isn’t like we have a younger, better player sitting on the bench.
Paris Libre!
Where’s Ike? Where’s Patton?
Unless Neto has a setback, I think Little Nicky just bought himself a one way ticket on the DFA train.
Edit: reserved seating.
Yeah, unless they are gonna ditch Paris for some reason they won’t need little Nicky after Neto’s back with Rengifo/Newman/Moncada. Likely won’t even need Nicky once some MiLB guys gets some games in.
#freeParis
But according to our grizzled manager Jeff, Paris cant handle the hops.
I know. What’s the rule with have to go with worse veteran players.
ST. LOUIS — The Angels paid the price for what it took to win four straight games.
After continually using their best relievers to help them secure that winning streak, the Angels were left with few bullpen choices in what became an ugly 12-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.
“Those guys were on fumes,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “The four games we ended up winning, it was everybody on board and just caught up with us at the end.”
The Angels (4-2) were in position to extend the winning streak after Logan O’Hoppe’s grand slam in the seventh gave them a two-run lead.
However, at that point they had only two available relievers who were even semi-fresh: right-hander Ian Anderson and left-hander Brock Burke.
Anderson had thrown only 11 pitches in a perfect inning Tuesday night, but he had never pitched on back-to-back days because he’d been a starter his entire career. He last pitched in the majors before undergoing Tommy John surgery two years ago.
Anderson gave up six hits – including two bunt hits – and walked one. He allowed the Cardinals to tie the game quickly in the bottom of the seventh.
“He’s not used to going back-to-back, but he was a guy that we felt could go out there and get us a couple of innings, and it just didn’t work out,” Washington said. “He left some pitches up, and they put some good at-bats on him. And the game just got away at the end.”
Anderson left with the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth, with the game still tied at 5. Burke then walked in two runs and gave up a two-run single and a three-run homer.
Anderson and Burke combined to allow nine runs, eight of them earned.
The Angels used left-hander Reid Detmers to get the final out, but they certainly didn’t want to use him after he’d thrown 40 pitches Monday. The Angels couldn’t use a position player to get the final out because they were down by only seven, and the rules prohibit position players from pitching until the margin is eight.
The Angels may have been able to get a fresh arm or two from the minors before the game, but they would have likely had to option right-hander Ryan Johnson to do that. Instead, they gambled on being able to get through the last game before Thursday’s off day with what they had.
They’ll send José Soriano and Jack Kochanowicz to the mound Friday and Saturday. They are their two most pitch-efficient starters, so they should be able to get deep into the game. Soriano threw seven innings on 73 pitches and Kochanowicz threw six innings on 64 pitches the first time through the rotation.
Even though their pitching staff was not in a good place Wednesday, the Angels could take solace in the fact that they at least won some games on the way to getting there. They won in extra innings Monday and Tuesday.
“When you’re trying to be successful, you need bulldogs down there (in the bullpen),” Washington said. “Sometimes that’s the way it goes. What really killed us is all the extra innings on this road trip.”
Their starters did their part, with five quality starts. They compiled a 3.25 ERA on the trip.
Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi allowed three runs in six innings Wednesday. He walked five and gave up two homers, both on misplaced breaking balls.
“Obviously, control is off a little bit, but I thought I was still able to grind through, keep the team in the game, go six innings,” Kikuchi said through his interpreter. “Obviously a couple of home runs I gave up were not where I wanted to throw it, but I’ll make the adjustment for next time.”
The Angels were down 3-1 when Kikuchi threw his final pitch, but they erased that deficit quickly in the top of the seventh.
Jorge Soler lined a single into center. Yoán Moncada reached base on an infield hit with a bouncer off the glove of first baseman Willson Contreras. Nolan Schanuel was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases.
O’Hoppe swung at the first pitch, a letter-high sinker, from right-hander Sonny Gray. O’Hoppe pounded it into the first row beyond the fence in right-center for his second career grand slam.
It was the first time the Angels hit a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh or later since Jo Adell did it Aug. 17, 2021.
The day’s other positive came in the first inning, when Mike Trout hit his first homer of the season. Trout doubled on Tuesday night and hit a fly ball to the warning track.
“It’s getting close,” said Trout, who is 3 for 21. “It’s good to see. Put some good swings on balls, barreled some balls.”
Trout and O’Hoppe said they were disappointed in the final game of the trip, but not the overall performance.
“If you told me we were going 4-2 to open this season, I’d take it,” O’Hoppe said. “Obviously you’re not happy about today, but there are a lot of positives to take going on the plane back.”
https://www.ocregister.com/2025/04/02/angels-taxed-bullpen-falters-late-in-loss-to-cardinals/
Well said. Totally agree. In terms of win streaks, GREED IS GOOD, but not arms left today. Sori get us back in track Friday against the B-O’s. Sori coming yo!
Let’s freaking get it! You called it earlier that the pen was on E.
Sori and Silent C getting us the series win against a tough Cleveland team would be monumental before heading back on the road again.
I’m pumped! Debating whether to take my kiddos or freebird, but definitely gonna to make it out to one of the three.
Definitely try for Sori or Silent C over TA imo 😆
I’m not sure if you’d remember me — I was the guy on the Angels BR community page years back that would always post positive messages + stats. It’s a pleasure to have you here! Maybe one day we’ll meet up at a game
Yeah I remember! You’re actually the reason I can here when BR decided to destroy it’s own app. Thanks for the head up. I’m sure we’ll meet up soon.
UNACCEPTABLE! UNBELIEVABLE! INEXCUSABLE! I didn’t read it all but what ever Wash said he needs to go. We have a play off race to not be in!
If I had told you we’d return home with a 4-2 record we’d all be ecstatic.
Brush it off, keep it rolling. Also congrats to Trouty on his first of the year!
What!!!! I was hoping for 6-0
Exactly. If I’m being honest here a series win at Chicago followed by a series loss and the team coming back .500 would’ve sounded good a week ago.
Though I will admit to feeling like I was stabbed watching those notifications roll in that we were blowing it after the O’Hoppe slam.
Gotta keep perspective!
Yup. Totally agree.
!00%. I had to bail with work stuff just before the wheels fell off so I didn’t see the carnage. It’s a buzz kill after getting the lead but they still have won two series in a row which didn’t happen much last year.
Nope. Let’s be bummed out. Gotta keep those sad sacks full. It’s how we get nice things.
That redheaded kid Annie was full of shit … the sun WILL NOT come up tomorrow.
😆
lol
I say we send Paris to the minors and call up kingery if we aren’t going to play him. Paris being called up must have been a Perry call and not Washington
Are you implying that we need to call him up so that we can cool him off.
Yes
agreed Paris is only 23. He’s not a bench guy right now.
Yea rumor is that’s why Perry cut Moniak. Kind of forcing Wash’s hand a bit. So Ron is doing the old defiant manager protest. You can’t force me to play who you want. .. I’m the manager.. I fill out the MFing lineup. It’s crazy because KP is not only a revelation but the perfect stop gap to play at 2B everyday until Neto gets back. Wash Missing layups
Bingo !
We have a winner !!!
A fit after daddy took away your toy sounds plausible.
BREAKING NEWS: Moniak may be a nice young man but he blew multiple opportunities. He and his .678 career OPS deserved to be voted off the island.
Wash was like.. they wont ask me about Kyren Paris not playing if we get our asses kicked. Lets let Ian Anderson get torched
Look at Een! 💩 He’s put the E in ERA!
https://youtu.be/O0yxRaDLWa8?si=BbufqJiI-Gda0pye
Haha
Everyone on the Chopin block! It’s over! See you next spring
https://youtu.be/6ORn00JFVD0?si=lmbt9KuqBvWvbIiP
Hopefully Rendon heals quickly
Great timing.
Play the kids. Win some. Lose some. Get thoroughly thrashed at times.
Our winning percentage is 67%. It’s still all good.
So far, every third game we take a beating.
I prefer to think of it as “lose one, win four”
That is a valid statement.
To build a winning culture, discipline and consistency are hallmark attributes. I’m interpreting your comments to indicate the team is successfully instilling the discipline required to get consistently thrashed every third game.
“Progress is good”
Which doesn’t matter as long as we keep winning the other two and win 108 games!
exactly!
Blame of the Game ;
Ron Washington (for stupidly starting Lopez over Paris and killing our team mojo. Also for stupidly staying with Aqualung for second inning when he clearly did not have it today. Detmers was waiting to save your bacon and you didn’t use him at the crucial moment. )Aqualung for suckingUmpiring crew for clearly trying to beat Angels by themselves
Hey, there’s the team that was MIA for the first few games. A complete implosion.