Boxscore Breakdown #31: It’s the great pumpkin, Matt Shoemaker – Astros 6, Angels 5

You better get back home, Cinderella because the clock is about to strike midnight.

For the second start in a row, Matt Shoemaker surrendered three homers. For the second time in four starts, he lasted just three innings. I really like Shoemaker and am actively rooting for him, but, boy, that’s rough.

He’s now given up 10 homers in just six starts to give him an ugly 2.87 HR/9 and 21.7% HR/FB. That has to get better, but how much better? It looked like Shoe had turned the corner in his last start, but then he goes and does this. Something has got to give.

Astros 6, Angels 5

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1zz0lS_xMNhH4slesW7z9dblCsfjuIWNXX97l7ffCVYE/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /] Mike Trout did Mike Trout things, but he actually got a bit of help for a change. This was actually one of the better recent performances of the offense. Alas, it went for naught thanks to Albert Pujols with an overeager approach on the final out, desperate to make himself the hero.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1zz0lS_xMNhH4slesW7z9dblCsfjuIWNXX97l7ffCVYE/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] If you didn’t hit a homer for Houston, you were pretty much useless. Unfortunately, quite a few guys hit homers.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1zz0lS_xMNhH4slesW7z9dblCsfjuIWNXX97l7ffCVYE/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] Has anyone checked to see if maybe Shoemaker wasn’t kidnapped and imprisoned in a dungeon by Joe Blanton who is now wearing a fake beard and masquerading as Matt?

Dallas Keuchel had allowed four runs all season entering this game and then the Angels got to him for four. Somehow they still lost.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1zz0lS_xMNhH4slesW7z9dblCsfjuIWNXX97l7ffCVYE/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] The WPA here is a lie. The Angels bullpen was actually pretty great as they no-hit the Astros over the final six innings and kept the game within striking distance. Chad Qualls tried his best to blow the game for Houston, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1zz0lS_xMNhH4slesW7z9dblCsfjuIWNXX97l7ffCVYE/pubchart” query=”oid=41272350&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”315″ /] I almost forgot that there was a portion of the game where things looked hopeful for the Angels. Sigh.

Halo A-Hole

Oops! Wrong picture.

That’s better. An honest mistake, I assure you. They are just so hard to tell apart.