It wasn’t an exciting game nor was it an exciting series, but the Angels were able to win this tame game and tame the Tigers for a series win. Also, I got one last pun out before the embargo gets put in place. I think we all in.
Run Expectancy Rundown
You know you are going bad when you hit a game-winning homer and your RE24 is still zero. Fortunately, the real offensive “juggernaut” of this game was Erick Aybar whose biggest contribution came about because Austin Jackson was being lazy. Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and Mike Trout were all at the bottom of the RE24 chart, which really tells you all you need to know about the offensive struggle.
For the second straight game, the Tigers had only one positive contributor. For the second straight game, Miguel Cabrera was the biggest drain on the Detroit offense.
Starting Pitcher Scores
Hector Santiago once again wasn’t all that efficient but still had a nice line. He didn’t look great, but he looked much better than he did in his last outing. Rick Porcello looked better though and really should’ve won this game. The only real mistake he made was that errant pick-off throw that led to Aybar scoring.
Bullpen Battle
This was the best usage of the bullpen I’ve seen yet from Scioscia this year. He could’ve stuck with Santiago since he was only at 85 pitches and going pretty well, but instead gave him the hook against the toughest part of the Tigers order. So, not only did he avoid some bad left-right match-ups, but he also saved Santiago from having to face Kinsler and Cabrera for the third time. Going with righty-killer Mike Morin instead erased both the platoon and times through the order penalty in one fell swoop. The bullpen then went on to have a totally perfect day. Joba Chamberlain beard did not.
Game Flow
A stepwise graph today. The Angels functionally started at 40% thanks to the first inning RBI double from Martinez. They hung around that mark until they tied the game, putting the Halos at around 60% right up until the Freese homer, which all but ended the contest.
Halo Hero
It wasn’t a walk-off, but it may as well have been.
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