Duren, Duren

The third game of a three game series when you've won the first two may be the toughest. The losing team (especially at home) is desperate to avoid the sweep. The winning team may be a bit complacent. And the Marlins are absolutely desperate, losing all their games. Angels lineup makes sense since it's an early start and Washington wants to give playing time to some others. Resting Rendon till his home debut is probably a good move. But the sweep would be a great way to finish of this trip and it's horrible start.

We're stuck with him, like it or not. He's being paid the same regardless of his production. Nothing as radical as DFAing him is likely. So far he's not injured, so can't just be forgotten. He's not been used much as a pinch hitter or platoon player and doesn't have the skills anymore to be a defensive replacement. So it's the starting lineup (DH or third base alternatives) or the bench. As a bench player he would get minimal at bats and playing time. Maybe platoon situationally. And with reduction in at bats it will be harder for him to find his form. Not to mention probably hurt Rendon's ego and confidence. It seems Washington has few options. Keeping him in the lineup regularly with some days off may be the most realistic way forward. And dropped towards the bottom of the batting order. And hope he finally gets in sync. But if he hurts the team indefinitely then Washington will have heavy pressure to put his best lineup on the field, regardless of hurt feelings. Maybe Rendon also needs to work more intensively with the coaches. Perhaps they can correct some flaws, though that will take time. Home fans probably should at least go through the motions of showing support because it would help the team more than stoking the fires of dissension.

Angels were dead last in team. ERA coming into the game thanks to the first two games. But they are trending a lot better. Let's see how the starters do second time around. Defense still needs to tighten up. And the obvious hitters in slumps need to quickly improve or get benched.

Sloppy ending, but the win is intact! Now focus on the sweep. No reason to not kick them when they're down. But that's what Baltimore thought too. .500 at worst, .666 at best.

Can't they execute fundamentals better?

Garcia can't pitch a clean inning. Now it gets closer.

Hopefully the bullpen gets it done so there's no second guessing. But it should boost Anderson's confidence.

Rendon has made decent contact the last two at bats. Eventually they'll fall in.

Almost got out of the inning on 74 pitches through 7 if that blooper was caught. But 83 is still good. I let him keep going.

Tough dp on a line drive. Hope it doesn't give the fish momentum.

The pressure is on the pitcher, catcher and keystone player to execute a caught stealing. And sometimes the first baseman applying a tag when the pitcher throws over. If the runner has decent speed and gets a good jump he has at least an equal chance of being safe. But the game circumstances play a big factor in when to try a steal. As well as a good scouting report on the arm of the catcher.

With a multi run lead it opens up more aggression on the base paths.

Nice swing, going up the middle.

Warning track power, Rendon's new normal. But he did have solid contact on earlier swings.

Time for Rendon to drive in a run.

I hope Anderson can sustain this form against other teams. His control is sharp and his sequencing effective. But we'll still see the bullpen in this one. Building the lead would be nice.

Tough play at the plate. It was worth the risk given the lack of offense.

One of Anderson's best Angel start so far. He had some good stretches last year but also a lot of bad early innings.

Redundant but Rendon's bat is just slow. Hicks squeezes it inside the foul pole. At least his bat came to life.

Hitters on both teams making the pitchers look good.

Not much solid contact or patience for the lead off man.

They are 2 - 2 having played a great and a terrible team. So it kind of averages out. If they take this series they finish this swing over .500. Without yet being at home and settled into a routine off the field. It was a bit of a shock to the system with back to back blowouts, but things have stabilized seemingly. And once/if the cold players start waking up it should get better. Negativity to some degree was a natural reflex after the first two games but those are past and it's what's ahead that now matters.

He's been getting to the ball but having trouble handling it. Could be a matter of concentration and focus. His mechanics seemed ok last season. But like all the slow starters they'll need to start producing sooner rather than later.

Angels at .500. Marlins at 0 - 5. Time to sweep the series while the other team is struggling. Nice comeback game. The long ball and solid relief pitching turned things around.

Adell is notably more patient and not not taking as many wild swings. Get him in as a regular and let him get in sync having a regular routine.