Just when we thought it was safe to believe in the Angels, they go and get swept by the perpetually mediocre Chicago White Sox. Of course Chris Sale would find his form in his game one start against the Angels. Of course Carlos Rodon would show his promise in his game two start against the Angels. Of course the Angels would be able to figure out John Danks and proceed to go 0-15 with runners in scoring position in last night’s extra inning loss. Of course, you guys. Of course.
Losing to the White Sox shouldn’t sting this bad, not when Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon are taking the hill in two of the games. Sale is a legitimate Ace and Rodon is the future. But, coming into the series, neither had pitched well in some time. Nothing like coming up against an anemic Angels offense to help cure your pitching woes, amirite?
Boxscore Breakdown Game One: Angels 2 – White Sox 8
Boxscore Breakdown Game Two: Angels 0 – White Sox 3
Boxscore Breakdown Game Three: Angels 2 – White Sox 3
Slumping, slumping, slumping
And it is maddening, maddening, maddening. Mike Trout is getting his butt kicked this month, but it really started with his wrist injury against the Rangers. He still hit two home runs in that game, and after a few days off and an MRI that came back negative, everything seemed like it would be OK. Everything is not OK. since that day, Mike Trout has gone .196/.305/.373 with a 28.8% strikeout rate. The 13.6% walk rate during this stretch is nice, and above his season average, but if Albert Pujols is going to continue to hit like it is 2014, Mike Trout needs to be fully healthy and productive. Without Trout and Pujols holding down the middle of the lineup, this season is doomed.
But, hey, how about that pitching
Matt Shoemaker got bombed on Monday, and it wasn’t pretty. But, then again, he is still, at best, a fourth starter. These kind of games are going to happen. If he sandwiches that around streaks of 19 scoreless innings, that’s not too shabby. It’s just probably not best to do it when the Angels offense is using wiffle ball bats. On the flip side, Hector Santiago and Andrew Heaney both pitched into the sixth inning of each of their respective starts, giving up three runs and two runs, respectively. Hard to hate on pitchers when they are doing everything they can to win ball games, but are getting left out to dry by the hitters.
Still a black hole in left field
Over the last two weeks, the Angels have had three different players stand out in left field. Shane Victorino, David DeJesus and David Murphy. Their combined production? .165/.214/.208 with a -0.7 fWAR. In two weeks those three players have cost the Angels nearly a full win of value. That is just, I mean…/vomits.
However, the DH role hasn’t been so bad, putting up a slash line of .279/.333/.393 during that time. Thank you, C.J. Cron for figuring out whatever it was that dragging your offense down. Your .333/.419/.481 slash line over the last two weeks is greatly appreciated.
No rest for the weary as the Angels continue their midwest swing in Kansas City tonight against the Royals. Just what the Angels needed, a series against the best team in the American League. Damnit.
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