You ever take some time off work only to see everything on fire when you come back? I am sure that is how Angels fans would feel if they have been in a coma for a decade. And honestly, that is how the baseball world has seen the Angels in this timeframe. On fire, and with jokes from 2015 still lingering on, even though there are better, more accurate jokes now.
Take for example the name. I still see “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim” jokes, despite the name not having Anaheim in it since 2016. And yeah, we Angel fans would love to go back to it if it meant the same success as it did last time. Because the last time this team has had a winning record was 2015, back when the team WAS called the “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim”.
Meanwhile, Texas Ranger fans had their best year in 2023, but have not had a winning season in 24 or 25. And this year, in the year the AL West looks to go back to 1994 in terms of winning, they aren’t doing so well. Under .500 like everyone is besides the A’s, Texas may be in their own drought, and while that is mostly just hopeful thinking on my end, it would be pretty funny.
Because there isn’t much separating the teams anymore, and to be honest, the Rangers have a better time on paper, what with their 3 pennants and multiple decades of being good, whereas all of the Angels playoff wins were from 2002-2009. But hey, at least being perfect in the World Series is something only 3 teams can say now, and unlike the Nats or Marlins, the Angels kept their HOF player.
Game 1
Anyway, there is a whole series to talk about, so, who pitched game 1? G-Rod went 5 and 2/3 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits, striking out 5 and walking 2. Huh, not THAT bad, not GOOD, a bit unlucky, but could be worse.
The offense carried game 1 for sure, with Neto with 2 home runs,
new mustache man Meckler with one,
and Oswald the Lucky Peraza with another.
But the defense also saved this damn team, with great plays from all 3 of these guys as well.
Meckler had the best day, I’ll say, because it was his Angels debut and he grew up an Angels fan, AND he still has some optimism in that mustache of his, which we all need in life.
9-6 Angels win, good on them for scoring more than 2 runs in a damn game.
Game 2
While Game 1 was a slugfest, Game 2 was actually a pitcher’s duel, and I will say, Walbert Urena did a fantastic job. He may be the 2nd best pitcher in the rotation. 5 innings, giving up 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 6 and walking 3 isn’t ACE like at all, but damn, watching him shows how gutsy the kid is.
Trout stepped up for this one, having a home run after missing out on game 1.
And Nolan did help as well with his double,
But he also pulled something and had to leave the game.
And hey, Oswald was lucky again, giving Kirby Yates a big enough lead to not blow it.
Game 3
So, with the first 2 games won, this is unprecedented, this year that is. A chance for a sweep. Yes, the Angels won the first 2 in Houston to start the year, but it was a 4 game series and they lost the next 2. Can it be done?
It will be up to Reid Detmers as he faces Gore. Detmers went 8 innings, giving up 1 run on 1 hits, striking out 14 and walking NONE. I am sorry, WHAT?! Detmers had the game of his life. Like, even his No hitter was less impressive. This was a DOMINANT performance and solidified that Detmers is back as a SP. And he gets a NO DECISION out of it.
If only the offense would do something. But alas, they went back to their pathetic ways of “Hey, let us not score more than 2 in a game” stuff they had been doing all season. Only scoring ONE in the first 8 innings. Come on, poor Detmers.
Highlighted Recap
The Rangers scored in the 2nd with a home run. And that was the ONLY HIT Detmers gave up all game.
Trout made sure it was a ND and not an L for Detmers with an RBI single in the 3rd.
That was all the scoring either SP allowed as the pitching duel was real. Detmers was better, but Gore got to face the Angels. Even the bullpens kept it down as it got to the bottom of the 9th still tied.
And it would have to be a miracle to win, and that miracle was a botched double play by the Rangers and the ANGELS WALK IT OFF! SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
Upcoming
The Angels have the day off on Memorial Day. What, seriously? Who made this schedule?! Oh well, come back on Tues-Thurs for Angels @ Detroit.
