Remember April 2nd?

[gurn67]

The Angels just got finished being crushed at home by the Mariners by a combined score of 26 to 8!

 

What if on that night you knew the following facts about this team by the end of August?:

 

1. Ibanez hits .157 with 3HRs and get released after inexplicably being allowed to play 57 games.

2. Josh Hamilton gets hurt and has only 44 RBI and 10 HR (none at home).

3. Both Skaggs and Richards are on the 60 DL

4. Santiago is 4-7

5. Frieri somehow remains the closer and is eventually dumped on the Pirates with a 0-3 record and 6.39 ERA

6. De La Rosa throws 2.1 innings

7. We trade for Joe Thatcher but he gives up 7 hits in 3 IP before getting hurt.

8. Sean Burnett throws .2 IP before being out for the season.

9, Bedrosian and Maronde get shelled in limited action.

10. Pujols is hitting .245 w/RISP and .125 w/ bases loaded.

11. Howie has 5 HR

12. Trout is hitting .290 with 13 SB

13. Freese is hitting .249 with 6 HR

14. Schuck, Stewart, McDonald & Boesch hit a combined .163

15. Team, as a whole, hitting .236 after the 6th inning and .198 with the bases loaded.

 

Knowing those numbers, what if I asked the following question?

 

One of the following teams will be 83-53 and one will be 53-83. Pick which one is the Angels, and which one is the Rangers.

 

 

[ten ocho recon scout]

Que that picture of of keanu reeves when hes hlown away

How crazy is it we're 30 games over, and the rangers are 30 games under .500

[Lou]

simply amazing.

but in all the hoopla, let's all remember the AW motto:

Mike Scioscia - all blame, no credit

[RallyMo]

Honestly, if you had asked this question like that on April 2nd, I would have guessed that the Angels would be the team with the better record. I say this because if you're asking a question like that so early in the season, it's clearly a trick question.

[Angel Oracle]

The best news is that the hitting and the pitching haven't clicked yet at the same time all season, until showing signs of it over the past 8 games.

They have already mastered the battle tested phase of the game, with so many come from behind wins.

Both hitting and pitching going well happens more often over the next 1 1/2 to 2 months, and it could be a real scary thing for all opponents.

Edited September 1, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[YESWECAN]

Superb post Gurn!

[Ohtaniland]

I would have said "Oh well, pitchers and catchers are due to report next February".

[fan_since79]

Honestly, if you had asked this question like that on April 2nd, I would have guessed that the Angels would be the team with the better record. I say this because if you're asking a question like that so early in the season, it's clearly a trick question.

 

He conveniently left out the eight pitchers with WHIP below 1.1 and ERA's below 2.6.

 

And best bullpen numbers in baseball.

[wopphil]

Superb post Gurn!

Agreed.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Que that picture of of keanu reeves when hes hlown away

How crazy is it we're 30 games over, and the rangers are 30 games under .500

 

Funny, I haven't seen our "I'm not a troll" Ranger fans hanging about this year.

[Season Over]

This is certainly one of the more unusual seasons in recent memory.  A lot of unpleasant surprises and weird streaks, yet they have the best record in baseball in September.

[QuinlansMinion]

Of all the years where it would be the easiest to win a world series, I think its this year.  Theres no team that really jumps out and scares you.  For as good as the Angels are playing, the rotation is still a bit of  a question mark.  At some point Shoemaker and Santiago could come back down to earth.

Edited September 1, 2014 by QuinlansMinion

[Chuck]

The Angels just got finished being crushed at home by the Mariners by a combined score of 26 to 8!

What if on that night you knew the following facts about this team by the end of August?:

1. Ibanez hits .157 with 3HRs and get released after inexplicably being allowed to play 57 games.

2. Josh Hamilton gets hurt and has only 44 RBI and 10 HR (none at home).

3. Both Skaggs and Richards are on the 60 DL

4. Santiago is 4-7

5. Frieri somehow remains the closer and is eventually dumped on the Pirates with a 0-3 record and 6.39 ERA

6. De La Rosa throws 2.1 innings

7. We trade for Joe Thatcher but he gives up 7 hits in 3 IP before getting hurt.

8. Sean Burnett throws .2 IP before being out for the season.

9, Bedrosian and Maronde get shelled in limited action.

10. Pujols is hitting .245 w/RISP and .125 w/ bases loaded.

11. Howie has 5 HR

12. Trout is hitting .290 with 13 SB

13. Freese is hitting .249 with 6 HR

14. Schuck, Stewart, McDonald & Boesch hit a combined .163

15. Team, as a whole, hitting .236 after the 6th inning and .198 with the bases loaded.

Knowing those numbers, what if I asked the following question?

One of the following teams will be 83-53 and one will be 53-83. Pick which one is the Angels, and which one is the Rangers.

Solid post!

[laagamer]

I'd like to see one of these lists for the other 29 teams.

 

It must really suck. 

[Second Base]

When you frame it like that, the record is nothing short if astounding. Then again, try this on for size.

1. Trout likely wins his first MVP award

2. Trout is the all-star game MVP.

3. Iannetta posts his best offensive season in years.

4. Pujols stays healthy the full year with no knee or foot problems.

5. Kendrick and Aybar have their finest defensive seasons.

6. Calhoun, Cowgill, Navarro and Cron all have breakout seasons.

7. Richards is the second best pitcher in the AL.

8. Shoemaker emerges as a mid-rotation SP.

9. Mike Morin emerges as an elite set up man.

10. Jepsen has his best season to date.

11. Jason Grilli, Huston Street are added to the bullpen.

That sounds like an amazing season.