Mike Trout: Super Human

Could it be? Are the Los Angeles Angels finally turning things around… righting the Ship… on an even keel? Sorry, I’ve been listening to a lot of yacht rock lately.

But are they???

Are they finally ready to play the kind of baseball we all expected to see when the team signed Josh Hamilton? I’m not sure yet, but it sure is starting to look that way.

Pitching

Joe Blanton: Photo not altered.
His face really is that small.

The argument that they can’t replace Joe Blanton because they just have no other options at the moment no longer works for me. Besides… that argument, quite frankly, was stupid to begin with. In fact, the Angels have lost 8 of his 9 starts this season. There was no one to replace him with that was any better??? Really??? Really? The truth is… there is no one available who would have been any worse. Now you might say, “but Dave… the bullpen was also thin and we needed Jerome there.” Nope… we didn’t. What the Angels needed most was starting pitching in the rotation capable of giving the team a quality start. With every short outing, every blowout loss, our pen was getting more and more overworked. And Blanton has been the absolute worst pitcher on this team… that’s still on the team anyway. Sorry Barry Enright.

Counter argument, Jerome Williams, 2.53 ERA, 1.08 WHIP this season. And over his last two starts those numbers are even better.

Excluding Blanton, the Angels pitching staff seems to be stabilizing. The starters are all going deeper into games now. That should have a trickle-down effect to the bullpen as well. Relievers are funny creatures… if you give them enough outings… but don’t overwork them… you should see better consistency form them.

Fundamentals

Losing and pressing creates pressure and doubt. Pressure and doubt causes too much overthinking while playing defense. During the worst parts of this slow start there are moments… innings… games… where the Angel’s defense and base-running, which historically have been one of the Angels strengths, have been embarrassing. But you know… the last few games they’re starting to look more like their old selves. Veteran players no longer seem to be making bone-headed decisions on the base paths. Tuesday night’s win over the Marinaters, there were a few moments where the Angels could have run themselves out of a few big innings, just as they had all season. In the bottom of the 4^th, Josh Hamilton lines to right and legs out a triple with a great slide. Following that, professional hit man Howie Kendrick blasts a 2 run shot to center. Next batter, Alberto Callaspo hits a long line drive where typically he may try to push it and go for a triple… but no, he sees the play and smartly decides to stay at second. And he was right as he’d have most likely been thrown out at third. Long story short, the Angels score two more runs there.

The Offense

I’m not going to say “don’t look now…” but if I was… I’d follow that up with “…but the Angels bats are heating up, and it’s looking like a consistent heat-wave.” I hope it is anyway… but I’m no weather man.

What I’m seeing besides just the stats improving across the board are the swings. The Angels hitters are looking more confident, decisive at the plate. The approaches have been much better. There’s a whole lot less guessing and looking really bad on strikeouts. Even for Josh Hamilton. The last few games that sweet left-handed swing Hamilton used to have seems to be on its way back. And that swing is the type that can carry a ball club along, long way. But if you combine that with Howie Kendrick, hitting .500+ with power over the last 8 games, baseball destroyer Mark Trumbo, Albert Pujols and his little brother Alberto, all heating up… I feel very sorry for all the Aaron Harangs of the baseball world. That poor, poor man!

And Michael Nelson “ihitforthecycle” Trout. Wow! Just wow!

After beating Aaron Harang in the 30 yard dash to first… with a 10 yard lead for Harang no less… he hits a triple, a bases-clearing double, and finally decides that he’s just going to hit a homer for the cycle in the 8^th. What was most impressive about that homer for me… he hit it to right-center. A guy who was obviously trying to hit a home run for the cycle stayed within his approach and didn’t pull the ball; he blasted it to right-center.

A very excited Buster Olney

Buster Olney, who absolutely has the best name of all time for a baseball writer, is now projecting a two horse race for the AL MVP this season, and it’s the same two horses as last season. Click his pic to see his comments on Trout.

He very much looks like he’s in Awe of Mike Trout. I hear ya Buster… and dang it… I’m right there with you, man.

May 21, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starter Jerome Williams (57) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rehab Start Goes Well for Angels’ Jered Weaver

It also says in the article that Weaver could be back in the rotation next week, if everything goes smoothly. Please, everything, go smoothly.

The Curious Case of the Angels Poor Outfield Defensive Metrics

This is one step closer to the “dogs and cats living together” that Peter Venkman was referring too.

Madson Dealing With Setback

Oh, for the love of…..really? Someone get Ryan Madson an advil so he can get back to pitching.

Money Quote:

“I can’t believe it’s taken this long,” Madson said. “I thought by last Friday it would be ready.”

Said every Angels fan, ever.

Moreno Supportive of Staff Over 10 Years as Owner

Congratulations on 10 years of ownership. Now, as a gift to the fans, please eat Joe Blanton‘s contract.

How the West was Lost

So, the west was lost because of the managers. Wait, what?

Money Quote:

Unless the Angels have a secret corn field out in Anaheim, they aren’t gonna see Connie Mack or Sparky Anderson calling the shots any time soon.

I see what you did there.

Something Fishy About Trout Hitting for the Cycle

10 lashes for speaking ill of Mike Trout. For shame.

Williams Working to Keep Spot in Angels’ Rotation

All of this could have been easily avoided had the Angels simply not signed Blanton and given the rotation spot to Jerome Williams. All that Williams need to be this season was a decent #5. Up to this point, he has been muchbetter than that.

Money Quote:

“The only thing a player can do — like Jerome is doing — is be as productive as they can be,” Scioscia said. “We’ve got a ways to go before our pitching staff is settled — hopefully not too long — but in the next couple weeks.”

Or in the next week. Or day. Hell, I’ve got a few hours, I’ll make the hard phone calls for you, skip.

That was until the Angels put up 12 runs and Mike Trout decided to go beast mode and hit for the cycle. Not only did Trout hit for the cycle – he is the sixth Angel to hit for the cycle and just happens to be the youngest AL player EVER to do it at age 21 (Alex Rodriguez previously held that record as a Seattle Mariner). Here is the breakdown from last night:

1st inning: Struck out
3rd inning: Infield single
4th inning: Tripled to right-center
6th inning: Double to left
8th inning: Home run to center

Bottom line: When people say Mike Trout is a “special player” I think they might be on to something here. Ya think?!? And let’s not forget that Trout is the most recent Angel to hit for the cycle since Chone Figgins “got figgy with it” and did it in 2006.

Lost in all of this may be the fact that Jerome Williams pitched a solid eight shut-out innings last night for his third consecutive quality start. Birthday boy Josh Hamilton (he turned 32) added a two-run home run and a triple while Howie Kendrick contributed by hitting a two-run home run to right-field in the fourth inning. Hamilton’s night may be the most encouraging sign that this club is going to turn things around.

Interesting fact: 12 of the Angels 27 losses have been on two runs or fewer.   Somewhere GM Jerry DiPoto is banging his head against the proverbial wall

The Halos have won three in a row and may have turned the page on their slow start. C.J. Wilson (3-3, 3.72) will take the hill against Brandon Maurer (2-5, 5.75) tonight. Game time 4:00 pm PST – Fox Sports West.