Fansided

LA Angels: 3 encouraging signs from New York Yankees series

By Evan Desai |
Shohei Ohtani, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Shohei Ohtani, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 3
Next
Shohei Ohtani, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Shohei Ohtani, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The LA Angels just took two of three from the New York Yankees, and surprised a lot of people with their performance.

There were some incredible feats put on display, and the team has played noticeably much better in these past two series.

There are a few things that can be taken from this series that bode really well for the Halos’ series against Texas coming up. It’s a series they should win against the last place team in the AL West.

No. 3 encouraging sign from New York Yankees series: The LA Angels played up to their competition

The LA Angels typically beat up on bad teams this season. Then, they dropped two of three to the Baltimore Orioles. They started playing down to their competition.

However, in this series, the Angels played up to their competition, which was a great sight to see. It’s something they don’t do too often.

The Yankees had won 13 of their last 15, and the Angels were just one series removed from their most embarrassing series performance of the year. They weren’t intimidated, and won the series.

This is now the second straight series against a quality team that the Angels have competed in and played well. This is important going forward because 21 of the 28 games we have remaining on the schedule are against teams that are above .500.

We may not have the Yankees again, but we have teams just as tough. We proved that we can hang with those teams.

Shohei Ohtani, Raisel Iglesias, Max Stassi. LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Shohei Ohtani, Raisel Iglesias, Max Stassi. LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 encouraging sign from New York Yankees series: The LA Angels overcame adversity

The LA Angels didn’t have Shohei Ohtani on the mound at all this series. He was scheduled to start on Tuesday, and couldn’t go due to him getting hit with the ball at the plate on Saturday.

The Angels won even without Ohtani on the mound.

Again, going up against a Yankees team that had won 13 of their last 16 coming into Tuesday’s game without your Ace being able to go at all in the series is tough.

Jaime Barria looked better than he has lately in his start, going 4.1 IP and allowing just two walks and two earned runs. The bullpen was solid, and Max Stassi really stepped up with a two-hit performance.

Jared Walsh was clutch with a three-run home run, and Jack Mayfield had himself a double.

Phil Gosselin had a nice game with two RBI. It seemed like everybody was contributing in a game where the Halos couldn’t get their best pitcher on the bump.

Seeing everybody pick each other up was impressive and encouraging for this club, and they were due for a performance like that.

Raisel Iglesias, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Raisel Iglesias, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 encouraging sign from New York Yankees series: The LA Angels’ bullpen stayed hot

The LA Angels’ bullpen was excellent in the San Diego Padres series.

They kept that momentum going in this next series. I know, they gave up eight runs in 14 innings of work. That’s not bad at all, however, when considering that the pen had to go 14 innings in one series.

We had to have two bullpen games this series, and in the one game we didn’t have a bullpen game, Barria only went 4.1 innings.

Raisel Iglesias had back-to-back saves in the back-to-back wins, and Andrew Wantz threw a scoreless inning in two of the contests.

Jake Petricka pitched twice, giving up no earned runs in 2.2 IP. He didn’t allow any walks or hits, and struck out three.

It’s been tough on the bullpen this year. They’ve had to deal with a lot this season. They’re coming in for starters that haven’t been any good, they’re dealing with a pitching coach change, and that lack of stability naturally took a toll on the relievers.

Angels with something to prove. Next

This season has been tough on the players in general. It was great to see them handle it well, however, in this series. They’re doing all they can to stay in the fight.

Next
Home / LA Angels News

Schedule