LA Angels Co-Pitcher of the Week: Ty Buttrey Dominant in First Week of the Season

While the LA Angels first week of the season didn’t go as any of us had hoped. However, there were still some pitchers who stepped up big time.

The inaugural LA Angels Pitcher of the Week for the 2019 season is a tie between Ty Buttrey, and Matt Harvey. Cam Bedrosian and Tyler Skaggs were also in consideration. But in the end, it’s hard to deny what Buttrey and Harvey were able to accomplish this week.

Coming into the season, Buttrey was looking to build on a successful rookie campaign where he made 16 appearances and worked his way to a 3.31 ERA. The Angels had high expectations for him, and so far, he has delivered.

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The first time his name was called this year was in the Angels’ first win of the season. In the eighth inning, against the heart of the A’s lineup, Buttrey faced four hitters. He allowed a single to start, but quickly forced a double play. After a Khris Davis single (which isn’t bad considering what Davis did the Angels’ pitchers all weekend), Buttrey struck out Kendrys Morales to end the inning.

Buttrey has been billed as the team’s “fireman” reliever by manager Brad Ausmus. He is hoping Buttrey can be the reliever who comes in and pitches with the most intensity and importance. When the game is on the line, regardless of inning, Buttrey will be the guy warming up in the bullpen.

His second and third appearances both came in losses, but Buttrey was able to shut down the opposing team both times. On Sunday, he pitched 1.1 innings and faced five batters. While Buttrey did allow one of two inherited runners to score, the damage control was still good, and Buttrey was able to get out of a bad situation left by Tyler Skaggs.

Last night, in the first game against the Mariners, Buttrey came in to pitch the last two outs of the sixth inning. With the Angels trying to make a comeback down 4-2, they needed a shutout inning and Buttrey was able to provide. He flashed major heat and sent both batters back to the dugout with strikeouts.

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Buttrey has been one of the lone bright spots on an Angels team that has sputtered out of the gate. The entire bullpen has been efficient, but with an offense providing 2.4 runs a game and an inconsistent rotation, they haven’t been able to show their abilities in many winning efforts yet. For more about Matt Harvey read my co-editor, David Rice’s story on Harvey. Just follow the link below.

However, when they do start winning games, Buttrey will assuredly be a key cog in locking down the wins.

While the LA Angels first week of the season didn’t go as any of us had hoped. However, there were still some pitchers who stepped up big time.

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