ANGELS GIVE ONE AWAY
Not a strong outing for Mickey Callaway. He struggled with his control, and got knocked around a bit. And what the hell is up with Carl Everett. That guy was a killer again, with a couple of hits, including a home run. And it appears that Hank Blalock is the real deal, much to my chagrin. Nothing against Blalock, but the BP guys were so far up his ass last year that I was sort of hoping he would fall on his face. Oh well.
Dear Scott Schoeneweis,
You have one job. You are supposed to get left handers out. That's it. Nothing more. You aren't asked to pick runners off. Next time, it might be better if you don't throw the ball into right field. Oh, and part of getting left handers out includes throwing strikes. In that vein, it might be a good idea to a) not hit guys, and b) not walk guys. Just some friendly advice from Angels fan.
Sincerely,
William Seitz
3 with Seattle at home are on tap. Gotta get at least one. None are must win, but you don't want to fall behind too early. No reason they can't take all three, but it should be a good series. They need to continue to score runs, but somehow the defense has to start coming together.
Friday, April 18, 2003
Thursday, April 17, 2003
ANGELS GET MAJOR BREAK
Well, a hearty thank you goes out to Michael Young, who booted the ball like a ten year old in the eighth inning which helped lead to 7 runs. The nine runs total that the Angels put on the board was enough, barely, as the Rangers pounded out 13 hits and 4 home runs. Carl Everett was a monster, and you really can't say anything about A-Rod. Is it just me, or does he always look like he's going to hit a home run?
Lackey struggled again. He had control problems from time to time, although some of his walks made sense (first base open, man on second, Raffy Palmeiro at the plate), assuming of course that you're pitching well enough to get the next guy, which he wasn't. Frankie was strong in the seventh and eighth, allowing a walk, a hit, and striking out three. Percival allowed a homer to A-Rod, but like in game two of last year's World Series, he shut the door after that for the save.
It's a tremendous race brewing in the West, with two games separating the four teams, and three tied for first. Interestingly enough, it may not be the in-division games that decide this thing. They all seem to be cancelling each other out. It may come down to who can beat up on the Orioles, Devil Rays, Indians, Royals (yes, the Royals), and, well, I'd list the Tigers, but everyone is going to beat up on them, that decides this division. It wouldn't be new, as last year it was the A's 20 game win streak against mostly the AL Central, and the Angels demolition of Baltimore and Tampa that propelled those two to the playoffs. It looks like a long, great season.
Well, a hearty thank you goes out to Michael Young, who booted the ball like a ten year old in the eighth inning which helped lead to 7 runs. The nine runs total that the Angels put on the board was enough, barely, as the Rangers pounded out 13 hits and 4 home runs. Carl Everett was a monster, and you really can't say anything about A-Rod. Is it just me, or does he always look like he's going to hit a home run?
Lackey struggled again. He had control problems from time to time, although some of his walks made sense (first base open, man on second, Raffy Palmeiro at the plate), assuming of course that you're pitching well enough to get the next guy, which he wasn't. Frankie was strong in the seventh and eighth, allowing a walk, a hit, and striking out three. Percival allowed a homer to A-Rod, but like in game two of last year's World Series, he shut the door after that for the save.
It's a tremendous race brewing in the West, with two games separating the four teams, and three tied for first. Interestingly enough, it may not be the in-division games that decide this thing. They all seem to be cancelling each other out. It may come down to who can beat up on the Orioles, Devil Rays, Indians, Royals (yes, the Royals), and, well, I'd list the Tigers, but everyone is going to beat up on them, that decides this division. It wouldn't be new, as last year it was the A's 20 game win streak against mostly the AL Central, and the Angels demolition of Baltimore and Tampa that propelled those two to the playoffs. It looks like a long, great season.
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
ERIC, ERIC, ERIC...WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??
OK, sure a fleet footed guy on first base, pretty good base stealer, but there are two outs in the ninth. At the plate is a guy hitting above .434, who happened to lead the league in doubles last year. That's a good thing, too, because chances are if he hits another double, you'll score and tie the game. What do you? If you answered "try to steal second and get thrown out ending the game" then you're probably Eric Owens.
Tough outing for Jarrod Washburn. He got in trouble in the fourth, almost got himself out of it, but then was struck with a couple of two out hits that were the difference in the game. I'm basing this purely on news reports, because last night was April 15th, and we accountants like to do a little drinking on April 15th. Also, Texas wasn't televising the game. AGAIN. idiots. Anyway, not to place too much blame on Owens, because ultimately it's just one out of 27, but that's a really bad mistake to make. He didn't get the sign, he went on his own. Those are the kind of mistakes that you can't afford to make in a division this tight.
OK, sure a fleet footed guy on first base, pretty good base stealer, but there are two outs in the ninth. At the plate is a guy hitting above .434, who happened to lead the league in doubles last year. That's a good thing, too, because chances are if he hits another double, you'll score and tie the game. What do you? If you answered "try to steal second and get thrown out ending the game" then you're probably Eric Owens.
Tough outing for Jarrod Washburn. He got in trouble in the fourth, almost got himself out of it, but then was struck with a couple of two out hits that were the difference in the game. I'm basing this purely on news reports, because last night was April 15th, and we accountants like to do a little drinking on April 15th. Also, Texas wasn't televising the game. AGAIN. idiots. Anyway, not to place too much blame on Owens, because ultimately it's just one out of 27, but that's a really bad mistake to make. He didn't get the sign, he went on his own. Those are the kind of mistakes that you can't afford to make in a division this tight.
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
SHUTOUT BY THE RANGERS
Rough one last night. No TV, because for some reason the Rangers are idiots, but it sounded like they just weren't swinging the bats particularly well. Appier actually was fairly sharp, except for a few gopher balls. Quite frankly, there's no reason you should lose any game to Texas in which you hold them to four runs. Hopefully this represents a one game hiccup, and they can come back to take at least two out of the next three.
On the plus side, the division, even at this early stage, seems incredibly well balanced. Although the division has some great teams, it's quite possible that this year 93 wins may do it. We may see a team in last place with 84 wins. Perhaps the doomsayers are right, and the wildcard won't come out of the West. Of course, they've been saying for three years now, and they've been wrong every time. Of couse, I'm sure they'll all pat themselves on the back when that day finally comes. Remember the stathead mantra: "If I'm right, it's because I interpreted the numbers correctly, and if I'm wrong, it was luck."
Rough one last night. No TV, because for some reason the Rangers are idiots, but it sounded like they just weren't swinging the bats particularly well. Appier actually was fairly sharp, except for a few gopher balls. Quite frankly, there's no reason you should lose any game to Texas in which you hold them to four runs. Hopefully this represents a one game hiccup, and they can come back to take at least two out of the next three.
On the plus side, the division, even at this early stage, seems incredibly well balanced. Although the division has some great teams, it's quite possible that this year 93 wins may do it. We may see a team in last place with 84 wins. Perhaps the doomsayers are right, and the wildcard won't come out of the West. Of course, they've been saying for three years now, and they've been wrong every time. Of couse, I'm sure they'll all pat themselves on the back when that day finally comes. Remember the stathead mantra: "If I'm right, it's because I interpreted the numbers correctly, and if I'm wrong, it was luck."
Monday, April 14, 2003
ANGELS SWEEP A's
OK, it's been a while since I touched this thing up, but this seems like a pretty good place to start. Huge series over the weekend for the Angels, more from a psychological standpoint than because of anything to do with the standings, but they can't let the A's get too far ahead. I really thought in Oakland that they were afraid of the A's. The pitchers looked like they didn't know how to get anybody out. The batters looked at the uniform and figured "we're dead" without even noticing that they were facing John Halama. Basically, it looked like they had spent too much time reading Baseball Prospectus.
Last weekend was a totally different story. They came to play. The defense was in 2002 form, and they played the death by a thousand cuts style that carried them last season (although the longball that showed up in October made an appearance as well). They need to keep the momentum going in Texas.
Player to watch is Tim Salmon. Whoever got hold of his calendar and ripped out the April page, I salute you. It hasn't quite been the May run that he seemingly always goes on at some point, where he'll hit 13 of 15 with a few homers, but It's a far better May than he has ever posted. Historically, he kills the Rangers in Texas. Has the power to this point been a fluke, or will he actually hit well for the entire month. It looks like someone is sick of watching the All-Star game at home.
Tonight Appier v. Valdes. Neither has been particularly good so far, but Appier was strong in his last outing, and Valdes look solid on opening day against the Angels. Even if he is as sharp, don't look for Appier to give up one run through six. We'll see whether the Angels, who just roughed up one of the best run preventing teams in the league, can carry that over against a far inferior pitching staff.
OK, it's been a while since I touched this thing up, but this seems like a pretty good place to start. Huge series over the weekend for the Angels, more from a psychological standpoint than because of anything to do with the standings, but they can't let the A's get too far ahead. I really thought in Oakland that they were afraid of the A's. The pitchers looked like they didn't know how to get anybody out. The batters looked at the uniform and figured "we're dead" without even noticing that they were facing John Halama. Basically, it looked like they had spent too much time reading Baseball Prospectus.
Last weekend was a totally different story. They came to play. The defense was in 2002 form, and they played the death by a thousand cuts style that carried them last season (although the longball that showed up in October made an appearance as well). They need to keep the momentum going in Texas.
Player to watch is Tim Salmon. Whoever got hold of his calendar and ripped out the April page, I salute you. It hasn't quite been the May run that he seemingly always goes on at some point, where he'll hit 13 of 15 with a few homers, but It's a far better May than he has ever posted. Historically, he kills the Rangers in Texas. Has the power to this point been a fluke, or will he actually hit well for the entire month. It looks like someone is sick of watching the All-Star game at home.
Tonight Appier v. Valdes. Neither has been particularly good so far, but Appier was strong in his last outing, and Valdes look solid on opening day against the Angels. Even if he is as sharp, don't look for Appier to give up one run through six. We'll see whether the Angels, who just roughed up one of the best run preventing teams in the league, can carry that over against a far inferior pitching staff.
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