Weaver went and did it again. He pitched well and did so with that little extra notch of velocity.
After his previous start, I thought it might’ve been a fluke, but he was able to repeat and sustain the change in this one. After the game, he claimed it came from his shoulder feeling healthy and returning to more of a three-quarters arm slot. This isn’t the first time he’s alluded to doing this either. But it might be the first time he’s executed it.
My theory is that Weaver has dodgy shoulder that flares up on him if he pitches from the three-quarters slot for too long, but that Jered has played it safe all season so that he can move back to the slot for the postseason. It will catch up with him eventually, but for a few weeks and a shot at a World Series, he is willing to suck it up.
I could be totally wrong. This could be a more permanent change, which would be even better news, but at least it looks like it should stick around long enough for him to lead the pitching staff in the postseason.
Run Expectancy Rundown
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Pujols, Trout and Kendrick really put on an offensive show and David Freese pitched in with his slowly reemerging power stroke. There wasn’t a whole lot else, but clustering led to the Halos putting eight runs on the board.
Starting Pitcher Scores
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Weaver may have found his velocity, but he has yet to find his ability to be highly effective in the deep innings as he fell apart a bit when sent back out for the eighth. Colby Lewis got pounded by the Halos for what feels like the 94th time this year.
Bullpen Battle
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Jason Grilli and Joe Thatcher combined to make this game a lot closer than it needed to be. Grilli has not been good at all this month and Thatcher seems to be trying to make sure he doesn’t make the playoff roster. On the flip side, the Texas relievers actually did a nice job of stopping the bleeding.
Game Flow
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Texas was quiet early and by the time they woke up, the Angels had already been awake for innings, beating the crap out of Colby Lewis.
Halo Hero
Whatever you’re doing Jered, keep on doing it.
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