Next man up is the common phrase teams say when injuries happen. For competent teams, this can be a rallying cry, as the players that get playing time were waiting for the opportunity and ready to prove their worth. On incompetent teams, well, it can be a dark humor way of thinking, as a “Someone has to do it” kind of way.
The Angels are of course incompetent. Last in the pathetic AL West, without even a .500 season since 2015. A team where prospects who were busts and old vets looking for one last season end up as a team of misfits. If you want playing time, it is the perfect team to play for as injury or suckage will open an opportunity.
But maybe, just maybe, a team in such a state can win a few games anyway. Not many, not for long, but enough so that the fans who watch can enjoy a bit of hope before having it crushed by reality. Most bad teams have a stretch of this in Baseball due to the length of the season. Are the Angels in the middle of one right now?
It all starts with the SP. Sam Aldegheri got the start. The Italian pitcher had a good WBC and got rewarded with an up and down 2026. Spot start here, bullpen there, not needed and sent down and repeat. With injuries to the rotation he has the chance to prove it again, and he certainly showed the fans that he deserved it. He went 5 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 4 and walking 3. Against the Rays? WOW. You take that.
Highlighted Recap
As the game was about to start, the team reminded us of something more exciting. SPACE.
Angels took inspiration, and found space in the OF for a 2 run triple in the 1st.
They added on in the 3rd
And after a SB, a 4th run
So that is hitting doing well. What about defense? Guzman provided that with a good play.
How about pitching? That was going great… until the 5th, when Sam loaded the bases and allowed 2 runs on a bloop single. It could have been WAY worse though.
Sam’s 5 innings of just 2 ER was pretty good. Would have wanted longer, and if the 5th wasn’t stressful, he would have pitched more, but he was pulled for Silseth, who pitched a clean 6th, then Farris, who did a clean 7th and 8. Well, mostly. The Angels got a BIG break when the ABS system broke down and the Rays couldn’t challenge at the plate.
To make up for it, Adell allowed the Rays to rob him of a home run in the bottom of the 8th.
Farris pitched the 9th, getting 2 out and 2 on, and allowed a run.
Game on the line, Suzuki went to Zeferjahn. WHY!? Last year sure, THIS YEAR?! WHY?!?!! He walked the bases loaded and then, with 2 strikes he STRUCK HIM OUT!
ANGELS WIN SOMEHOW!
Upcoming
More Rays at Angels this weekend. Not Devil Rays vs Angels. That would be cooler.
