Gameday Thread: Indians @ Angels (05/17/2021): Ward leading off, Upton benched again, no Fletcher

[jsnpritchett]

Edited May 17, 2021 by jsnpritchett

[Dtwncbad]

Ward leading off is annoying.

[failos]

Hopefully Stassi returns soon…Suzuki is not a good catcher.

[Vlad27Trout27]

I have zero hopes for this series, similar to how I had zero hopes of a win on Sunday....

 

[Angel Oracle]

Fletcher needs to get it together.

Upton and Trout both need to end their slumps.

[WicketMaiden]

Well, there's a line-up we didn't envisage 20 games ago, hope the buzz of last night's win builds into some momentum and we start a win streak. We are well over due one and there is plenty of talent in that line-up. But hey, whatever, Shohei's playing! Woohoo! I wonder what crazy new things the unicorn is going to do tonight. 

 

[AngelsFaninGA]

19 minutes ago, Dtwncbad said:

Ward leading off is annoying.

He has a great walk rate while batting .150, just what you want in a leadoff hitter

[T.G.]

I'm looking forward to seeing what Sandoval can do tonight. 

[PattyD22]

1 minute ago, True Grich said:

I'm looking forward to seeing what Sandoval can do tonight. 

I do too, TG.  I really root for the guy.  
 

Unfortunately, I’m envisioning 4 innings, a 75 pitch limit count, and a white knuckle, bullpen by committee completion to the game.

And channel surfing to catch an AB or 2 by Albert also.

[Chuck]

34 minutes ago, Dtwncbad said:

Ward leading off is annoying.

No way. Outside of Trout and Rendon he has the best plate discipline by far of anyone on the team. His career minor league OBP was .398. He offers some speed and power as well. 

Ward is our best internal option at leadoff until Marsh is ready. 

[Chuck]

12 minutes ago, True Grich said:

I'm looking forward to seeing what Sandoval can do tonight. 

 

8 minutes ago, PattyD22 said:

I do too, TG.  I really root for the guy.  
 

Unfortunately, I’m envisioning 4 innings, a 75 pitch limit count, and a white knuckle, bullpen by committee completion to the game.

And channel surfing to catch an AB or 2 by Albert also.

If Sandoval has command of his fastball and keeps his curve and changeup in the lower half of the zone, he'll do really well tonight. 

Unfortunately he's got a lot of C.J. Wilson and Hector Santiago in him. The Nibbler! 

Hopefully he can improve his command because he's got great stuff. 

[nando714]

Upton and fletcher benched again

7 runs 

[nando714]

10 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

 

If Sandoval has command of his fastball and keeps his curve and changeup in the lower half of the zone, he'll do really well tonight. 

Unfortunately he's got a lot of C.J. Wilson and Hector Santiago in him. The Nibbler! 

Hopefully he can improve his command because he's got great stuff. 

What a great trade. Maldonado for Sandoval 

[Angelsjunky]

When are the Dodgers on? Ready for the Machine!!!

[failos]

Just now, Angelsjunky said:

When are the Dodgers on? Ready for the Machine!!!

Lol he’s going to hit 3 home runs thanks to you

[jsnpritchett]

 

[WicketMaiden]

20 minutes ago, cals said:

I had to google this to see if he made a typo or if this was really a word.  Fucking Poms.

Try this one: philistine.

[Dtwncbad]

1 hour ago, Chuckster70 said:

No way. Outside of Trout and Rendon he has the best plate discipline by far of anyone on the team. His career minor league OBP was .398. He offers some speed and power as well. 

Ward is our best internal option at leadoff until Marsh is ready. 

His minor league OBP is pretty meaningless when his major league OBP is .282.

It’s a major league game.

Further, are you comfortable with the idea that there is about a 44% chance that Ward will end up with more plate appearances in this game than at least one of Ohtani, Trout, Rendon or Walsh?

Edited May 18, 2021 by Dtwncbad

[stormngt]

31 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

 

I was about to question why Barria was up with the big club. I got the answer.

Now I got to bitch at the stupidity of deciding to bring Barria in from the pen where he has bombed miserably instead of starting where he had two seasons of success  

Meanwhile Sandavol has not had much success as a starter but has had some nice outings off the bench 

[daygloman]

Go Halos!

[fan_since79]

When is Stassi returning?!

[jsnpritchett]

2 minutes ago, fan_since79 said:

When is Stassi returning?!

[Inside Pitch]

Having Mota deliver deep insights is like reading Jack Handey's deep thoughts while on a bender.

[daygloman]

54 minutes ago, failos said:

Lol he’s going to hit 3 home runs thanks to you

He'll get thrown out by 45 feet before that'll EVER happen! 

[T.G.]

Ok, that sucks.