Eventually, it will be fun to watch an Angels game this season. Eventually.
The Cubs trounced the Halos on Tuesday in much the same way they did in the opener. They managed one big inning against an otherwise effective Angels starter, smacked a two-run home run off the first Angels reliever to enter the game, then coasted to a win by keeping the Angels offense off both the bases and the scoreboard. A genius strategy from Joe Maddon, really.
Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1iyfr6zhLTGHth-_oxojyIetu0A14-yWrm8pMBmyAy1A/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /]The Angels yet again were held to just five total bases on the night. A hustle double from Yunel Escobar, of all people, and an single from Craig Gentry, again, of all people, are the only reason the Halos are going into their next series with any runs at all. Johnny Giavotella and Carlos Perez were the only other players to do anything on offense, nearly starting a rally with back-to-back singles in the third. Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Andrelton Simmons are still 0 for the season.
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1iyfr6zhLTGHth-_oxojyIetu0A14-yWrm8pMBmyAy1A/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /]Dexter Fowler again had five total bases on the night, this time thanks to a home run and a single. His 10 total bases in the series equal the production of the entire Angels offense. Anthony Rizzo joined in the fun Tuesday, blasting a two-run shot to straight away center, but it was again the “lesser” part of the linup that did the most damage. Matt Szczur and David Ross got the big third-inning rally going with a homer and a double, then followed up later with singles.
Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1iyfr6zhLTGHth-_oxojyIetu0A14-yWrm8pMBmyAy1A/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /]If not for the third inning, everyone might be writing about how Andrew Heaney out-pitched Jon Lester while up against one of the best offenses in baseball. Alas, the third inning happened. It’s impossible to know what was going on with Heaney that inning, but it is clear that the first-pitch home run he surrendered to Matt Szczur rattled him. It’s also worth noting that Heaney’s fastball velocity dipped significantly starting in that frame—from 92-94 mph to 90-92 mph—and only got worse as the game went on. Certainly something to keep an eye on.
Like Jake Arrieta the night before, Lester didn’t miss many bats but he still pitched well enough to mostly keep the Angels off the bases. And because there wasn’t anybody on the bases, no one was able to exploit Lester’s increasingly weird phobia of throwing over.
Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1iyfr6zhLTGHth-_oxojyIetu0A14-yWrm8pMBmyAy1A/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /]Mike Morin played the role of Fernando Salas on Tuesday, allowing the two-run dinger that effectively put the game out of reach. The rest of the guys did well, though, with Jose Alvarez, Joe Smith, and Huston Street all putting in scoreless debuts.
The Cubs’ team of diamond-in-the-rough relievers again stumped the Angels. Trevor Cahill, Travis Wood, and Pedro Strop combined to throw two perfect innings.
Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1iyfr6zhLTGHth-_oxojyIetu0A14-yWrm8pMBmyAy1A/pubchart” query=”oid=41272350&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”315″ /] There’s a brief glimmer of hope there in the sixth inning, but the Cubs were quick to snuff it out.Angel Antagonist
Morin didn’t put the Angels behind, that two-run dinger devoured any chance of a comeback.
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