70runner

Angels have reached the A's horrific mess they call a bullpen.

Ah yes, the nautical corollary...if the boat does return with the Marlin will it bump The GIDP Machine down the order...inquiring minds want to know...

His effect on the offense extends beyond his ineptness at the plate. Trout is tied for 9th in MLB with 72BBs, however, with ABs factored in his 24% walk rate is #1 in MLB. Likely continue to climb with so much WC activity and Pujols behind him. Cron, Calhoun, perhaps Simmons wouldn't provide much more incentive to pitch to Trout, but they would more often make the other team pay. Or move Trout back to #3 with a couple of decent OBPs in front of him...to do some damage before The 'GIDP' Machine steps up. Perhaps related to hitting him behind Trout, Scioscia seems reluctant to pull Pujols for a pinch runner even in obvious situations. So, he clogs up the basepaths because he can no longer run. I used to think him losing about 30lbs would possibly turn things around, but I think its gone beyond that. He could lose 30lbs and still fucking suck.

His check swing discourse is considerably less irritating than his incessant, monotone "analysis" in between Rojas play by play. The mute button was likely invented by someone listening to Goober.

Perhaps Scioscia will explain why the WORST WAR player in MLB is hitting behind the best player in MLB.

Not much of a Scioscia fan, but Connie Mack probably couldn't coax much more than a 500 record with this crew. 10yr manager contract is silly, but that isn't Scioscia's fault. As to MOTY, that seems a bit of a reach at this point. His use of a fast fading Pujols remains problematic. Scioscia seems unwilling to pinch run for him in obvious situations and hitting him after Trout virtually assures Trout will continue to get lotsa walks. The retort, who else would make pitchers deal with Trout?, is compelling as likely no one on the Angels and very few in MLB. Having said that, why not continue the 2nd Nats game lineup, with Calhoun & Simmons, perhaps Cron, backing up Trout with Pujols down the order where he belongs?

One of the best reasons to subscribe to Xtra Innings and get the opposing team feed. They don't spend much time talking about Pujols career stats. Guess you didn't get the memo either...

Even if the Angels grab a legit MOTO hitter, Scioscia will have to be moved before Pujols can be moved down the lineup.

Ticket to the playoffs: schedule more games with the phillies

How would Martinez provide protection for Trout hitting behind Pujols?...which is where he will hit as long as Scioscia pencils the lineup card.

He's had that affliction for years. He READS the screen prompters verbatim, no value added, and remains the top seeded entry for the CAPT Obvious Sportscaster Award. The most annoying thing is the Pujols career stat vs pitcher recital, remarkably thinking it's relevant. Have to watch the Angels on Xtra Innings, where you sometimes get home/away broadcast choice. Always pick the one without Goober.

Revised definition of "Dreamers": folks that believe Scioscia will move Pujols down the lineup (where he belongs) if a legit MOTO hitter arrives in Anaheim. Only way to move Pujols is to change managers. Martinez is a bad right fielder, wouldn't be any better in LF, and we got an unmovable DH. Try Cowart @ 2B (preferred)/3B and Cron @ 1B for rest of season. Use those results to adjust 1B/2B/3B off season procurement strategy. Take the rest of the money and move Trouts family/friends to SOCAL.

It approaches an unworkable situation. No matter what they are stuck with an old, fat guy who can't run hitting behind the best player in baseball. Beyond Trout, perhaps Simmons and Calhoun, they have nobody trade attractive. Their FA adventures seem to rarely work out, while draining the prospect bank. A mediocre team since 2014, perhaps destined to remain mediocre until after the two 10yr contracts expire.

Pujols in the 3 slot is less than awful. Can't hit, can't run, virtually useless save for an occasional ribbie.

There it is. Never can it be a manager issue. It's either bad players, injured players, bad GMs, sunspots, whatever. For 7yrs now, the same excuses pour in while the Angels miss yet another playoff appearance. If Scioscia isn't accountable for team performance who is? No one is saying dumping Scioscia will transform this team into a juggernaut, but they have tried changing nearly everything else around him.

You'll fit right in

Lost amid the shocking report of an old, overweight guy getting injured while running from from 1st to 2nd base, was this little footnote... Trout said he took advantage of Thursday's off-day to go home to New Jersey and expects to have plenty of family and friends in attendance over the weekend. "Feels good to be back here," Trout said. uh oh

Interview Maxine Waters

You're naive. He won't quit a job that pays 25+M/yr to put on a uniform and basically watch 162 baseball games from the dugout. When he can't run anymore, he'll become coach Pujols while still collecting his remaining millions.

Losing some of that 275lbs he's carrying around might help a bit. Scioscia could hide behind him.

Uh, no

If they could just figure a way to play the remaining schedule at home against AAA Oakland...

That's the point, isn't it? It's easier to criticize a team that, regardless of the lineup, slow starts nearly every season under a manager who is immune from accountability. Nearly every other person involved in the management/coaching of the team has been fired, but not the guy responsible for winning. Reaching the playoffs once in 7yrs is not exactly a resume highlight for a MLB manager. I know...bad players, bad GMs, injuries, it's early, the usual excuses. Not sure what the Blue Jays have to do with it, except this sucking too team just beat the Angels.

Scioscia rested Pujols today. I guess he had to recover from all that walking to the plate then usually back to the dugout. He'll be back tomorrow and whistling those ground balls to 3B.