The first of the Angels’ three do-or-die series to close the season was a resounding success. By sweeping the Mariners over the weekend, the Halos improved their playoff chances immensely. The odds said they needed to at least go 8–2 over their final 10 in order to have a legitimate shot at the second wild card spot. With the three wins over Seattle, that’s now been winnowed to a much more manageable 5–2. It still won’t be easy, and they still need the Twins and Astros to lose their fair share, but the postseason is looking closer than ever. Hold on to your butts.
Game 1: Hector Santiago vs. Felix Doubront
Only Hector Santiago could allow two home runs and walk five batters and end up with a win. That’s how it went for the southpaw in Houston last week, and that’s more or less how it’s been going all month. Somehow, the Angels are 4-0 in Hector’s four September starts even though he’s walked three more batters than he’s struck out (14 vs 11) and allowed five home runs in 18⅔ innings. An actual quality start Monday would be nice for a change, but a win’s a win in the end.
Felix Doubront was purchased from the Blue Jays at the trade deadline and has been about as good as you’d expect a guy who got traded straight-up for cash to be. He owns a 5.91 ERA in 45⅔ for the A’s, which includes 25 runs allowed in his last 27 innings. The Angels should feast on him, who knows with this offense.
Game 2: Nick Tropeano vs. Chris Bassitt
Nick Tropeano threw better in Houston than his 4⅓ innings suggest. It’s not great that it took him 97 pitches to get to that point, but he probably would’ve made through five had Erick Aybar not overthrown second base. And really, considering that he’s a rookie trying to get his bearings in the bigs with spot starts here and there, five competitive innings is all anyone should be asking of him.
Chris Bassitt established himself in the Oakland rotation in July and August, but a shoulder injury sidelined him for much of September. He’s pitched very well when healthy this year, never giving up more than four runs in any of his 11 starts. However, he went just three innings (and 73 pitches) in his first start back with the club last week, so if he’s still on a short leash Tuesday the Angels will probably get a pretty good look at the A’s bullpen.
Game 3: Garrett Richards vs. Barry Zito
Barry Zito! In 2015! Getting to face Zito instead of Sonny Gray is like the best possible scenario for the Angels. Before being recalled by Oakland last week, Zito had thrown a pitch in the big leagues since September 2013. Since his call-up, he’s allowed six runs in three innings of work, which explains why he was out of baseball altogether in 2014. The Zito/Tim Hudson game over the weekend was a fun, nice gesture for Bay Area fans, so now I guess the A’s are extending that kindness down to Orange County.
Garrett Richards looked primed to continue his good start/bad start see-saw on Friday, but really pulled things together after a shaky first couple of innings and ended up going seven frames. The right-hander is still walking way more batters than usualâhe has a 14% walk rate in Septemberâand he’s now allowed a home run in each of his last four starts, but he seems to be finding a way to succeed despite lacking his best stuff. He shouldn’t have to do much to keep the Angels competitive against Zito, et al.
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