Boxscore Breakdown #30: Dream or Weaver? – Angels 2, Astros 0

Am I dreaming or did Jered Weaver throw a complete game shutout? I’m not kidding, that happened, right?

Less than a week ago we were all beginning rough outlines for our eulogy to Jered’s career, but then he comes out and does this. And, I almost hesitate to say this, but I think it kind of might be for real… maybe… possibly???

First off, his velocity was up one entire mile per hour. Granted, that’s still super slow, but it is an improvement and I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Besides, the second point in Weaver’s favor suggests that the velocity gain and improved command could be a mechanical adjustment. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Jered found that mythical “lower release point” we hear so much about.

Finally, he also did reinvent himself, at least a little bit. Pitch mix can change from start to start, but Jered did make some noticeable changes. Mainly, he kept the slider in the bag and cranked up his changeup usage.

That’s a good thing because his change piece has always been his best offspeed pitch and his slider has always been his weakest offering. Whether this was a conscious choice remains to be seen. It may just be that the changeup was “on” tonight or that he was able to employ it more because his heater was actually working for once this season.

None of this may prove to be repeatable, but at least there is some hope.

There is no hope though for whoever threw that water bottle at him in the post-game interview. That man is a dead man. Jered is going to end him, based on the death stare he gave after he was struck, which was probably the hardest hit off Jered all night, by the way.

Angels 2, Astros 0

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1PfSvo5302K6hVdZGM0P6zx8tVRn8-qluNneKZxfR3GM/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /] This Carlos Perez kid, I like him. He hits the ball and good things happen, which is a nice thing to have from a catcher, or really anyone. The Angels need more people who do this. Nobody actually really did all that much on offense, but the Angels manufactured two runs and that was all they needed thanks to Weaver throwing such a gem.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1PfSvo5302K6hVdZGM0P6zx8tVRn8-qluNneKZxfR3GM/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] Another reason I like this Carlos Perez kid is because he threw out the scourge that is Jose Altuve. That’s not an easy thing to do. In fact, the Angels generally find it hard to get Altuve out by any method. He literally was the only good offensive performer for the ‘Stros.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1PfSvo5302K6hVdZGM0P6zx8tVRn8-qluNneKZxfR3GM/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] Lost in all this is that the Angels really didn’t do much against Roberto Hernandez. That strikes me as a concern, especially since they didn’t do much against him when they faced him last month either.

Bullpen Battle

There is no need for a bullpen graph since the Angels didn’t use the bullpen. This was an added bonus of his CGSO. The Astros used one reliever for one batter. Nobody cares.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1PfSvo5302K6hVdZGM0P6zx8tVRn8-qluNneKZxfR3GM/pubchart” query=”oid=451609002&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”316″ /] That’s a pretty placid game flow. The Astros never really mounted a threat and even when the Angels scored it just kind of snuck up on you.

Halo Hero

Someone ’bout to get dey ass whupped.