Not sure I’m a fan of this new “win every game by one run” thing, but whatever works at this point is gold. Beggars can’t be choosers, especially when taking on King Felix. The club’s four-run output on Tuesday tripled their season run total against Hernandez, and marked the first time since August 2013—a span of 11 starts!—that the Halos managed to strap him with a loss.
Mike Scioscia didn’t exactly optimize the line-up by putting David Murphy and his .282 OBP as an Angel in the lead-off spot—inspired largely by his tenuous head-to-head numbers against Hernandez—but that doesn’t mean we can’t give him credit for being creative. I’m all about process over results, but in a game like baseball, where nothing ever seems to go as planned, sometimes shaking things up just for the sake of it pays off. Keeping Murphy atop the order beyond Tuesday night seems like pushing it, but stranger things have worked.
Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1py9vjQFHhbFBGO9k08YVmYAVvr61LDCDNIZyUrYuyk4/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /]The Angels’ entire offensive output was contained to just three guys, but it proved to be enough. Carlos Perez had probably his best day at the plate as a big leaguer, notching two doubles and a single off Felix in three ABs. David Murphy and Mike Trout did the heavy lifting in the run-production department, though, each blasting their fourth career dinger off of the King.
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1py9vjQFHhbFBGO9k08YVmYAVvr61LDCDNIZyUrYuyk4/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /]Oh, Franklin Gutierrez. What might have been had the injury bug not treated him so harshly over the years. Guti’s been limited to part-time duty this year due to a chronic joint condition, but when he has played he’s put on power shows like he did Tuesday. His .669 SLG is the best in baseball, minimum 150 PA. Nelson Cruz also homered, because that’s what he does.
Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1py9vjQFHhbFBGO9k08YVmYAVvr61LDCDNIZyUrYuyk4/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /]Nick Tropeano didn’t exactly pitch well, but he did enough to keep the Angels in the game. His five innings of two-run ball probably amounts to the second-best start of his young career, which says much more about his limited opportunities thus far than his potential on the mound. As noted in the opening Felix had a rare off night against the Halos, but he still went seven innings and ended up with the better Game Score.
Bullpen Battle
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Other than the one meatball Fernando Salas served up to Gutierrez, the Angels bullpen put together a solid night. Jose Alvarez, Trevor Gott, and Joe Smith each pitched scoreless innings, redeeming the ‘pen somewhat from their abysmal showings Sunday and Monday.
Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1py9vjQFHhbFBGO9k08YVmYAVvr61LDCDNIZyUrYuyk4/pubchart” query=”oid=451609002&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”316″ /]Things got a little tight there after the seventh, but from there it was clear sailing.
Halo Hero
How do you feel about picking up David Murphy’s 2016 option now, Arte?
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