Boxscore Breakdown #143: There’s nothing hotter than make-up games – Angels 12, Indians 3

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The Angels got themselves some wet, hot make-up game action. Sure, having to play the game made everyone angry. We all had better things to do, but once everyone was able to make their peace, it was all about getting together and blowing off some of that steam. And, boy, did the Angels blow… up. Their offense blew up.

For the second straight game they hung double-digits on an opponent. This time they upped the degree of difficulty by doing it against a good team and good pitcher. Everyone got in on the action as the Halos exploded in an orgy of offense. The took balls deep with several homers. They also banged out some quickie runs by finding all the holes in the Cleveland defense.

By the end, everyone was more than satisfied. Yeah, make-up games are so good.

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1VcgLjeaRJV1dG–hkRznEtEFfnm_b-Z5IXYo_JS7EAI/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”343″ /] Do not go near Howie Kendrick with any flammable materials. For your own safety, stay away from Howie Kendrick. He is too hot. Albert Pujols is fairly warm as well, so you might want to steer clear of him as well, just to be on the safe side. While he hasn’t been as hot lately, Kole Calhoun was absurd in this game. What might be the most encouraging though is that C.J. Cron got a base hit and a walk while seeing 21 pitches in his four PAs. He certainly isn’t perfect, but of all the DH possibilities, he has the most upside, so it would be great to see him take over the job before the playoffs start.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1VcgLjeaRJV1dG–hkRznEtEFfnm_b-Z5IXYo_JS7EAI/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] It was the usual suspects getting to Weaver to make the game competitive for that one inning. Carlos Santana, Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason Kipnis just give him fits and combined to create that brief scare. We also got to see J.B. Shuck wearing someone else’s uniform, which I found to be incredibly soothing.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1VcgLjeaRJV1dG–hkRznEtEFfnm_b-Z5IXYo_JS7EAI/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] Jered Weaver was rolling to start the game, but as has oft been the case with him this year, he started to lose it as he went through the lineup the third time. Still, he managed to hold it together before things got too hairy.

Danny Salazar got off to a strong start too, but one he started to lose it, he lost it completely. He almost seemed to be in disbelief at the homers he surrendered, especially that David Freese golf shot. After a series of the soft-tossing Twins rotation, it was nice to see that the Halos could pummel a high-end, high-velocity pitcher.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1VcgLjeaRJV1dG–hkRznEtEFfnm_b-Z5IXYo_JS7EAI/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] A quiet bullpen game for the Angels relievers with the big development being the debut of Jairo Diaz. With the two whiffs we saw his potential, but the two walks and general wildness also showed how much development he has left to do.

The Cleveland bullpen really put together a nice team effort to make sure that this game didn’t stay within reach for the Tribe for very long. Thanks, fellas!

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1VcgLjeaRJV1dG–hkRznEtEFfnm_b-Z5IXYo_JS7EAI/pubchart” query=”oid=451609002&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”316″ /] As has been the case so often of late, the game was close early on and then the Angels had their one-inning explosion to take the game over before just running away with it. Even that three-run semi-comeback from Cleveland didn’t put all that big of a dent in the Angels’ win expectancy.

Halo Hero
Boxscore Breakdown #143: There's nothing hotter than make-up games - Angels 12, Indians 3
It is now Tuesday morning and Cleveland still can’t get Kole Calhoun out.

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