Having continuity at catcher will help too. Our pitchers have to be mentally tougher. The Angels have given up more two out runs than any team in baseball. The other thing we’ll have to focus on is giving up two out runs. And the bullpen will have to be MUCH better. That was enough.īut I agree that in 2021 the SP will be key. In 2002 our SP was not all that great, but we had the best offense in baseball and the best bullpen in the AL. Even imperfect teams can sometimes win it all. If Adell continues to develop (I suspect he will, as his good work habits and positive attitude to taking coaching have already helped improve his play in the OF) and Fletch can at least come close in 2021 to what he’s doing this season I think we’ll be fine offensively, though as you say not without holes.

If he can, then a “playoff rotation” of Bauer, Bundy, and Ohtani as 1-3 could make us a pretty good contender.Īssuming we somehow get the Ace (Bauer or sb at his level) I agree that Ohtani will be the pivotal question. The key to all of this will be if Ohtani can return and pitch like he did in his first year with us. Rotation: Bauer, Bundy, Canning, SP3/4 trade, Barria/Suarez/Sandoval/Naughton, Ohtani** (Detmers and Rodriguez both in the minors, but should be future SPs who aren’t too far off) It will be a team with holes still, but potentially, we can run out something like:įletcher SS, Trout CF, Rendon 3B, Ohtani 1B, LF Adell, RF Marsh, DH Pujols/Upton, C Stassi, 2B Rengifo/Jones/Barreto Saves us ~8mil next year, which will also go to Bauer Trade Heaney for a FV45 type SP prospect – i.e., a SP3/SP4 type who is cost-controlled for a number of years.DFA several costly relievers to create financial wiggle room (Robles, Bedrosian – not the best idea, but probably saves about 10mil, which will be used to secure Bauer).Perhaps something in the line of ~25mil AAV or so Sign Bauer to a multi-year deal (yes, I know he rubs people the wrong way and I’m also aware he has stated his preference for 1 year deals, but I’ll believe it when I see it).So, if we aren’t gong to rebuild, then I’d like to see the following: If we aren’t going to tank, and it definitely looks like we’re not, then we might as well try to formulate a plan to try to be competitive next year… After that, the Rangers are the only division opponent left. A groundout and Ty got the save!Ī 4 game winning streak, a double header sweep, and 5 wins vs the Astros this year! A turnaround maybe? Still a long way to go.įinal game vs Astros this season tomorrow at 1PM. Victor Rojas called it a walk off, but the Angels were away at the Big A. And the Angels have come all the way back to lead it 7-6. 7th InningĪ single by Upton and Trout was up to tie it. For once though that didn’t lead to a run and Noé Ramirez got through the inning with no runs scored. 6-4 Astros.įranklin Barreto airmailed a throw in the 6th, the 3rd error of the game. An out later and a home run that Jo Adell almost caught. Which was then thrown in and almost got the runner at second. First hit was a single that was almost caught by Jo Adell. Jacob Barnes pitched the bottom of the 5th. In the 5th, even more runs scored with a single by Luis Rengifo, a HBP by Justin Upton, a 2 base non sac fly by Mike Trout, and a Pujols bloop single. After a Jo Adell single and a walk to Taylor Ward, Franklin Barreto grounded out with the bases loaded to score Pujols.

He hit a double and scored in the 4th thanks to a single from Albert Pujols. Offensively Mike Trout continued to be on fire. That unearned run was an error by Justin Upton.Ī bullpen game right after having 5 pitchers in the first game of a doubleheader is not good. A short outing, 1 and 2/3 innings, 4 runs, 3 earned, 3 hits and 2 strikeouts. Then in the second inning he gave up a 3 run home run. Rocky Startĭillon Peters took the start and gave up a home run on the second pitch. Still 95 degrees at the start of the game at 7:50 PM. Game 2 of the doubleheader started off with the Angels as the away team as this is the makeup game from Houston.

The visitor game 2