OC Register: Angels’ Joe Maddon continues to push lineup platoons

[AngelsWin.com]

BOSTON — The Angels’ lineups through the first month of the season have settled into a predictable pattern.

There’s a righty lineup and a lefty lineup.

Although it can be frustrating for some fans who would like to see Manager Joe Maddon just stick with the same players every day, for now, the players seem willing to go along with this plan.

“We’re in first place, so it’s working pretty well,” outfielder Brandon Marsh said. “If we’re winning, I don’t care. If I sit for a week or play for a week and we’re winning, it doesn’t matter.”

First baseman Jared Walsh agreed.

“I think we’ve got a lot of capable players that kind of play different positions in the infield, outfield, righty hitters, lefty hitters, so I think it’s worked pretty well so far,” Walsh said.

Center fielder Mike Trout, right fielder Taylor Ward, third baseman Anthony Rendon and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani are the only players in the lineup unaffected by platoons. Catchers Max Stassi and Kurt Suzuki split time, but both are right-handed hitters so it’s more workload management than a platoon.

At first, second, shortstop and left field, Maddon changes his lineup just about every day, based on whether the Angels are facing a righty or lefty.

“If they start someone else versus a lefty it means their numbers are better against that lefty, or lefties in general,” Marsh said. “You gotta trust the higher-ups and think they are doing what’s best for the team. It’s been working out so far.”

On Tuesday, the Angels faced a righty with reverse splits, so Maddon loaded up his lineup with righties. On Wednesday they faced a righty with traditional splits, so Maddon filled the lineup with lefties.

The Angels need to only look back at the 2021 San Francisco Giants to find a team that made liberal use of platoons, and they won 107 games. The Giants last year used 148 different batting orders, excluding the pitcher’s spot.

Maddon said the platoons don’t merely help give the Angels the best matchups, but also help to give players rest. Right now they are in a stretch of 20 games in a row.

“How many games have all these guys played in a year where they stay healthy?” Maddon said. “Normally it’s not 162. So if you could get guys off their feet, let baseball dictate to you the right time to give somebody a break. Give them a break. I like it.”

OUCH

Reliever Austin Warren said he will have surgery when the Angels get back to Southern California, repairing the damage from a line drive that struck him in the face during a freak accident in batting practice on Tuesday.

Warren had been throwing in left field and keeping an eye on home plate because the Red Sox were taking batting practice. He was distracted by a young fan asking him for a ball.

“As soon as I look to flip it, it was bang-bang,” Warren said. “It got me pretty good. It didn’t knock me out. I went down to a knee. I noticed I was gushing blood and just tried to get to the tunnel so I wasn’t making a scene on the field.”

Warren was placed on the injured list with a nasal fracture. On Wednesday Warren’s face was still swollen, with bruises on the left side. He had both nostrils plugged to prevent bleeding.

NOTES

The Angels still aren’t sure who will pitch on Friday, which would have been José Suarez’s turn before he was sent back to Triple-A. Maddon said they are still considering some options, including pitchers who are currently in the bullpen and in the minors. Kenny Rosenberg and Jaime Barria are the most likely candidates from the current bullpen. Jhonathan Diaz has been the best starter at Triple-A. The Angels could also use Michael Lorenzen on four days of rest, but Maddon said he’d prefer not to do that. …

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Right-hander Griffin Canning (back) said he is scheduled to face hitters for the first time in his rehab next Tuesday in Anaheim. Canning threw all of his pitches in a 40-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday in Boston. He said he expects to be ready when he’s eligible to be activated on June 6. …

Right-hander Archie Bradley (oblique) said he will have more information on the severity of this injury once he is re-examined back in Southern California. Bradley had a similar injury last year and missed a month, and he said he doesn’t expect this to be any longer.

UP NEXT

Angels (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 2-2, 4.19) at Red Sox (LHP Rich Hill, 0-1, 3.71), Thursday, 10:35 a.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM

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[BTH]

30 minutes ago, AngelsWin.com said:

The Angels need to only look back at the 2021 San Francisco Giants to find a team that made liberal use of platoons, and they won 107 games. The Giants last year used 148 different batting orders, excluding the pitcher’s spot.

Are the Angels going beyond generic lefty/righty platoon splits when making these different lineups?

The Giants weren't merely platooning lefties/righties but looking deeper into swing planes, pitch types, etc. as well.

[Jeff Fletcher]

13 hours ago, Trendon said:

Are the Angels going beyond generic lefty/righty platoon splits when making these different lineups?

The Giants weren't merely platooning lefties/righties but looking deeper into swing planes, pitch types, etc. as well.

Brandon Marsh said they are. 
 

So I assume they are looking at some of that stuff too. Maddon has mentioned liking certain matchups beyond just L/R stuff. I specifically remember the time he PH for Adell with Duffy. Both are RHs

[Angels 1961]

57 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Brandon Marsh said they are. 
 

So I assume they are looking at some of that stuff too. Maddon has mentioned liking certain matchups beyond just L/R stuff. I specifically remember the time he PH for Adell with Duffy. Both are RHs

Jeff, after game last night is it difficult for players to get to sleep? Such an emotional game followed by day game. Do you feel Angels will be looking for an OF?

[Jeff Fletcher]

1 minute ago, Angels 1961 said:

Jeff, after game last night is it difficult for players to get to sleep? Such an emotional game followed by day game. Do you feel Angels will be looking for an OF?

I am sure it is for some of them. 
 

And yes I think the Angels will be looking for an OF. 

[Angelsjunky]

1 hour ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

I am sure it is for some of them. 
 

And yes I think the Angels will be looking for an OF. 

This implies that they're not confident in either Adell or Marsh, which seems odd after a few bad games for the latter. Or are you talking about a 4th outfielder? 

 

[Angel Oracle]

3 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

This implies that they're not confident in either Adell or Marsh, which seems odd after a few bad games for the latter. Or are you talking about a 4th outfielder? 

 

I’m guessing 4th OF.

Rojas is not that guy.  Need solid defense and decent bat.

How about giving Harrison a try?

Edited May 5, 2022 by Angel Oracle

[Jeff Fletcher]

7 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

This implies that they're not confident in either Adell or Marsh, which seems odd after a few bad games for the latter. Or are you talking about a 4th outfielder? 

 

Yes. A 4th OF who is a real OFer, preferably who hits right handed 

[Angelsfan1984]

45 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Yes. A 4th OF who is a real OFer, preferably who hits right handed 

Justin upton?

[Jeff Fletcher]

11 hours ago, Angelsfan1984 said:

Justin upton?

Ha. 
 

Someone who can play defense. 

[Taylor]

2 hours ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Ha. 
 

Someone who can play defense. 

Dexter Fowler?

[Dtwncbad]

Tommy Pham

[Angels 1961]

3 hours ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Ha. 
 

Someone who can play defense. 

Jeff, could halos go after Xander Bogaerts at deadline or sooner? I know it's early but if halos in race and Boston falls further out be good fit.

[Taylor]

Just now, Angels 1961 said:

Jeff, could halos go after Xander Bogaerts at deadline or sooner? I know it's early but if halos in race and Boston falls further out be good fit.

He has an opt out at the end of the season that he's planning to exercise. 

[Angels 1961]

3 minutes ago, Taylor said:

He has an opt out at the end of the season that he's planning to exercise. 

I know he would be a rental but to have a chance to win this year. Only 1 title maybe time to go for it. Boston signed Story to take his place next year.

[Lou]

@Jeff Fletcher

Any word on the starting pitcher for tonight?

[Jeff Fletcher]

5 hours ago, Angels 1961 said:

Jeff, could halos go after Xander Bogaerts at deadline or sooner? I know it's early but if halos in race and Boston falls further out be good fit.

It’s possible. 
 

And @Taylor, his opt out is the reason the Red Sox would trade him. 

 

It’s way too early to be thinking about this stuff. Don’t forget there’s an extra playoff spot now, so it’s going to take that much longer for teams to decide they’re sellers. 

[Jeff Fletcher]

5 hours ago, Lou said:

@Jeff Fletcher

Any word on the starting pitcher for tonight?

Let me check to see if I’ve reported anything….

(pause)

Nope. Not yet.

[Jeff Fletcher]

6 hours ago, Taylor said:

Dexter Fowler?

I have no idea if he can play any more but if he can he would be a good fit. Maddon and Minasian both like him. 

[Blarg]

6 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Let me check to see if I’ve reported anything….

(pause)

Nope. Not yet.

Check again?

[T.G.]

Gubi is starting tonight.

[Lou]

11 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Let me check to see if I’ve reported anything….

(pause)

Nope. Not yet.

[Slegnaac]

Game time 6:38 PM

4+ hours away

[T.G.]

1 minute ago, Slegnaac said:

Game time 6:38 PM

4+ hours away

@failos

[Lou]

2 minutes ago, True Grich said:

@failos

I sent him a PM about cricket 3 days ago and he has yet to respond. 

@WicketMaiden and I are this close to putting him on ignore.