Gameday Thread (5/15/23): Angels @ Orioles - Wallach back behind the plate, Thaiss at 1B

[mmc]

[Halo in Chicago]

Interesting lineup.

[nando714]

The O’s line up is a wagon 

hoping the angels steal at least 1 game this series 

[T.G.]

If you would have told me (prior to the season) that Matt Thais would be hitting 5th in the lineup at some point in the season, I'd have looked at you like you were nuts or I would have assumed the worst for the Angels...  

He's been a pleasant surprise so far and much better than I ever though he could be.  I hope he continues to hit well and I am not cautiously optimistic about his future.  It seems like many of are still waiting for him to "fail" - but hopefully that won't be the case.

[eligrba4ever]

GO ANGELS!!!!!

Pluck these Birds' feathers all four days!!!!!!

[Erstad Grit]

Sweeping the cardinals and then coming back on the rangers feels so long ago.  We need a big run to get the energy back.  Something like 9/10

[CaliAngel]

Rendon with a groin strain, lol what a joke...

41 minutes ago, nando714 said:

The O’s line up is a wagon 

hoping the angels steal at least 1 game this series 

I saw the O's against the Rays last Monday and man, they couldn't hit shit. 

Hoping the same happens today, and Ohtani takes control of the series in game 1...

[daygloman]

Go Halos!

[Revad]

33 minutes ago, T.G. said:

He's been a pleasant surprise so far and much better than I ever though he could be.  I hope he continues to hit well and I am not cautiously optimistic about his future.  It seems like many of are still waiting for him to "fail" - but hopefully that won't be the case.

Thaiss has made use of his opportunity this year to establish himself and he’s doing great.  I think he’s shown he has value as a left-handed hitting backup catcher, especially as he’’s still developing defensively.  It takes time.  It’s interesting he’s getting a chance to play some 1st as he’s a decent option there if he keeps hitting and valuable as a back up plan for Walsh.  At the very least he has increased his trade value, very little chance he clears waivers at this point.

I’m rooting for him!

[nando714]

15 minutes ago, Erstad Grit said:

Sweeping the cardinals and then coming back on the rangers feels so long ago.  We need a big run to get the energy back.  Something like 9/10

I agree but 

wish in one hand and sh I t in the other 

Saturday was a big L. Taking 2/3 in Cleveland would have been huge for momentum 

[CaliAngel]

Happy to see Wallach back in the lineup! @Blarg

10 minutes ago, Revad said:

Thaiss has made use of his opportunity this year to establish himself and he’s doing great.  I think he’s shown he has value as a left-handed hitting backup catcher, especially as he’’s still developing defensively.  It takes time.  It’s interesting he’s getting a chance to play some 1st as he’s a decent option there if he keeps hitting and valuable as a back up plan for Walsh.  At the very least he has increased his trade value, very little chance he clears waivers at this point.

I’m rooting for him!

Speaking of Walsh, what's going on with that dude? 

[Angel Oracle]

59 minutes ago, T.G. said:

If you would have told me (prior to the season) that Matt Thais would be hitting 5th in the lineup at some point in the season, I'd have looked at you like you were nuts or I would have assumed the worst for the Angels...  

He's been a pleasant surprise so far and much better than I ever though he could be.  I hope he continues to hit well and I am not cautiously optimistic about his future.  It seems like many of are still waiting for him to "fail" - but hopefully that won't be the case.

Seems like regular enough at bats are just what he needed?

Still some issues behind the plate, but it sounds like the pitchers have become a little more comfortable working with him?

[Tank]

11 minutes ago, CaliAngel said:

Happy to see Wallach back in the lineup! @Blarg

Speaking of Walsh, what's going on with that dude? 

started a rehab start in AAA last friday. had a couple of hits on saturday but don't know what he did on sunday. quotes from him say he's feeling better.

i think they were going to reevaluate after the weekend and see where he is and what he still needs. i think. maybe. or something like that.

[Blarg]

13 minutes ago, CaliAngel said:

Happy to see Wallach back in the lineup! @Blarg

Only you could be happy about a 4th string catcher getting back into the lineup. 

[Slegnaac]

Renfroe!

Best off season acquisition. 

[HeavenlyHalos]

Not hitting with RISP has been consistently poor against these good teams. That and 2 strike, 2 out hits/runs given up by the pitching.

[HeavenlyHalos]

Neto with the important SF. Nicely done

[Revad]

Now that’s a sacrifice fly!  Neto hits it hard to center, Rengifo scores from third. 

[HeavenlyHalos]

Interesting stat from Wayne: Angels 10-10 when their opponent scores the first run, which is great....buuuut that means that they are only 11-10 when scoring first which is terrible

[HeavenlyHalos]

And yet another starter that can't get a shutdown inning. Very frustrating and Ohtani's recent pitching struggles continue. 

[daygloman]

Fawk!

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

good grief

[HeavenlyHalos]

Ohtani needs to stop using his sweeper so much

[BTH]

Another HR on the sweeper.

Ohtani is so bad at calling his own pitches.

Sweepers have horrible splits vs. LHB from RHP, yet he throws it? Did the same thing to Carlson in St. Louis.

[Revad]

Well they’re behind now.  Ohtani gives up a 2 run dinger.