Boxscore Breakdown #147: Back in training – Angels 11, Astros 3

These games of late have really started to feel like Spring Training games for the Halos. After six innings, all the subs start coming in. By the end of the game, there is an entirely new lineup in the field and a pitcher you’ve never heard of on the mound. I guess this is the luxury you can afford when you are running away with the best record in baseball.

Of course, it also helps that the Angels keep having these huge outbursts of offense in one innings and are blowing away the inferior competition. For that reason, it is kind of nice that the Angels get to close out the season with a bunch of games against Oakland and Seattle. They could use the reminder of what it is like to face a team that isn’t horrible. Then again, I’m not sure Oakland qualifies as not horrible anymore.

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1TA0nC6AfaJgehceUj2U2H2JljPJIDU8WJIaRPwr8ev8/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /] Mike Trout, Kole Calhoun and Howie Kendrick all had big nights and are quietly engaged in a battle to lead the team in batting average. The Halos got C.J. Cron back in the lineup and while he didn’t do much, they definitely seem to be grooming him to play a lot in the postseason. The same goes for Collin Cowgill, who might be leaned on quiet heavily if Josh Hamilton doesn’t improve soon.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1TA0nC6AfaJgehceUj2U2H2JljPJIDU8WJIaRPwr8ev8/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] Jason Castro really let the Halos off the hook as he failed to come through in multiple spots, including a bases loaded strikeout. As per usual, Jose Altuve and Dexter Fowler gave the Angels problems. Jake Marisnick had a nice night at the plate, but Astro’d a catch in the outfield to help ignite that big inning.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1TA0nC6AfaJgehceUj2U2H2JljPJIDU8WJIaRPwr8ev8/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] The good news is that C.J. Wilson only walked one batter unintentionally and fanned six. The bad news was that he was very hittable and striking out Astros hitters isn’t very hard.

Brett Oberholtzer cruised through the first three innings, but the Angels figured him out pretty good the next time through the order. He didn’t survive to see go through the order for a third time.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1TA0nC6AfaJgehceUj2U2H2JljPJIDU8WJIaRPwr8ev8/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] The Angel relievers weren’t asked to do much other than eat innings and protect a fat lead thanks to the Astros relievers bringing their gas cans out.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1TA0nC6AfaJgehceUj2U2H2JljPJIDU8WJIaRPwr8ev8/pubchart” query=”oid=451609002&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”316″ /] Believe it or not, the Angels were actually down to a 17% win expectancy after the Astros scored in the fourth. After the Freese dinger in the fifth, they hit 98% and that was all she wrote.

Halo Hero

Kendrick had the better RE24, but it was Trout’s heads up baserunning that got the Angels back into this game.