As a blogger, I am very good at separating myself from the Angels, regardless of fandom. Very rarely will I use terms like “we” or “us” when referring to the team and anything that happens on the field. With that being said, I hate losing to Boston. Hate hate hate it. Especially when losing to Boston means that the Angels’ unbeaten streak, with regards to series’, comes to an end. Until the Boston series this past weekend, the Angels had not lost a series since losing two of three to the Giants at the beginning of the month. I know that all good things must come to an end, but did it have to happen against the Red Sox?
Oh well. The end of one thing means the start of another, and the Angels can start a new unbeaten series streak tonight against the Padres when they kick off a ten-game homestand to close out their run of 20 games in 20 days. Hopefully that silly cross country flight yesterday didn’t screw them up too much.
Since the dawn of time, the Angels are 12-13 against the Padres. The last time these two teams hooked up was in 2012, and the Padres took out of three from the Angels in that three game set in San Diego. Mike Trout went 7-12 in that series, but the Angels only managed to win Jered Weaver‘s start in the first game.
Game 1: Jered Weaver vs. Tyson Ross
Speaking of Weaver, he gets the ball in the first game of this Memorial Day series sponsored by terrible hat fashion. Aside from that, Weaver has looked pretty good lately, hasn’t he? I wouldn’t say that he looks like vintage Jered, but he hasn’t been sucky. His last three starts have seen his ERA drop from 6.29 (ewwwwww) to 4.37 (meh), and he has given up allowed only four runs in his last 23.1 innings. He still has only topped 100 pitches once this season (120 in his CGSO of Houston), so a little more length would be nice, but having him not get blitzed by the opposing team is nice, so I guess I’ll take what I can get.
Opposite Weaver is 28 year-old Tyson Ross. Tyson had a meh April, but has been much better in May, posting an ERA more than a run lower this month. He still leads the National League in walks, and is second only to Aaron Sanchez for the Major League lead. But the Angels just saw Aaron Sanchez, and they made him look good. Because, you know, aggressive approaches and all, I guess. Hey, Angels, maybe, I don’t know, take a pitch.
Game 2: Matt Shoemaker vs. Odrisamer Despaigne
Dear Mr. Shoemaker,
The Angels fans would be sincerely grateful if you could figure out whatever the hell it is that is causing you to be so damn maddening on the mound. You are striking out nearly a batter an inning and have only walked nine so far this season, so that’s good. But, 46 hits and 13 dingers already? Dude, seriously, get it together, like, yesterday.
Truly,
Angels fans everywhere
I have a really funky last name (regardless of whether or not Garrett thinks it’s a real name). So, I can personally appreciate when someone else has a really funky first or last name. And Odrisamer is pretty funky. I can also appreciate it when it is attached to a pitcher who the Angels have a good chance to rough up. Looks like you are my new best friend, Odrisamer.
Despaigne hasn’t won a start since April 20th, and has seen his ERA balloon from 1.37 after a relief appearance on April 25th to 6.11 after his last start. He’s allowed 17 runs over his last three starts, but only two in his last start against the Cubs.
Game 3: Garrett Richards vs. Andrew Cashner
Garrett wasn’t his overly-dominant self in his last start against Boston where he was charged with five runs in six innings. But the Angels offense did this whole hitting thing, and Garrett got the win anyway. His last start ended a streak of five starts where he had allowed two runs or less, and he has been so good that even when he gets charged with five runs (three of which scored after he left the game), his ERA rises to a still very good 2.98.
Andrew Cashner has been getting burned, a lot, by his defense this season. He has allowed 18 earned runs this year, but teams have scored 30 runs while he has been on the mound. So, his ERA is sparkling at 2.89, but his win-loss record is a laughable 1-7. Yet another reason why people should disregard pitcher wins and losses. Cashner is also not getting much help from the Padres offense. Only once this season has he left the game with the Padres ahead.
Homecooking FTW?
At 22-22, you would think that maybe getting back home would help the Angels out. But with a 10-9 record at home, that’s just wishful thinking. The only thing that is going to help this Angels team get back on track is if the offense gets its act together and starts putting more than two or three on the board per game. So what do you say, Mike Trout. Should the fans show some faith?
I’m not sure how that answers my question, Mike. I mean, the fans have been pretty harsh on you guys on your inability to hit baseballs regularly.
I’m guessing this means that you were unaware of this. How do you plan on fixing this situation?
Alright alright alright.
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