Duren, Duren

Maddon is still on a learning curve with the pitchers. Especially with a new pitching coach who isn't familiar with the staff. In a regular season there would be time enough to adjust and adapt, but everything is magnified now. But Rendon really is the key to the rest of the season. He was given an elite superstar contract. You can cut him some slack for the injury related slow start, but he has to start producing as expected. On paper Fletcher, Trout and Rendon are about as good a top three batting order as you can find. Rendon in peak form can be a catalyst that cashes in the other two when on base as well as extending rallies that gives the mid part of the order more RBI opportunities. Traditionally third place in the batting order is for the best hitter. If Rendon reverts to form the offense should score enough to compensate for a weak bullpen.

20% of the season played. .333 winning percentage. Right now it seems hard to see this team putting together even a five game winning streak. It seems the team can't find ways to score other than via homeruns. Rendon has not made the expected difference in the order. Fletcher and Trout have not had a lot of help after them. The defense screws up in some way just about every single game. Baserunning has cost games. Rare to see a complete well pitched game from any combination of starter and bullpen. Premature removal of starters has been a consistent pattern. This year's relievers are completely unreliable. Bullpen by committee has been a disaster. 48 games remaining. A lot of trends need to be reversed.

Teheran throws 50 - 60 pitches, gives up 2 or 3 runs. Rendon turns the corner with a couple of hits. Adell gets a hit, but strikes out at least once. Trout walks twice, hits a double. Angels win 5 - 3.

Remember, Ohtani has an enormous amount of pride. Remember his detailed list of personal objectives? Call it ego, motivational or whatever. If he is forced to abandon his pitching career - one of his major objectives - how will it affect his psyche going forward? Especially if it means having to upgrade his defensive skills at first or the outfield. Don't underestimate the time and concentration needed to become a good defensive player. Especially without a lot of prior experience in the field. As well, his persona and marketing appeal have been shaped by his two way play. As a one dimensional player the general baseball fan will probably pay less attention to his career. And what if there is a conflict between his desires and those of the organization? Hopefully his pitching career can be revived with time and proper treatment. But st some point difficult decisions will have to be made by all concerned.

At the least he should not be paid for the games missed. A symbolic gesture, but pro sports aren't like regular jobs. Not sure what the legalities are but he should voluntarily not accept his salary for games missed. I understand his mindset, but as the highest paid player in the sport there is a responsibility to the sport and his teammates. Potentially his absence could cost the team a playoff spot. His presence in the games he already missed may have turned losses into wins. And that impacts the entire organization. When you sign the contract he signed it also implies some personal sacrifice.

If there are more daily cancelations and big chunks of the schedule compromised, the integrity of the season is going to be lost. They should have gone the hub city route. Seems inevitable that this experiment is destined to leave no one satisfied.

Possibly the least interesting team to watch. Especially without Trout. No dynamism, aggressive play, team confidence. A bunch of individuals playing slow, station to station ball, hoping for the big inning that never comes. Add in poor baserunning and defense to go with a terrible bullpen. We thought starting pitching was the worst weakness but it has been a positive. But they will win some blowout games and pad their stats. They already need to win four in a row to creep above. 500. What a humiliation the last two games have been.

Albert looks totally lost. Even in his recent bad years he had more discipline and patience. Guessing at pitches and on his heels like a rookie. Could be the end of the line if he doesn't turn it around at least to some degree.

Trout's absence is notable in this kind of game. No other of the big names has done a thing so far. Lots of easy, lazy outs.

Technically Bundy had a quality start. Three runs or less in at least six innings.

Probably a manager with the approach and style of 'the little general' Gene Mauch could whip up some chemistry and cohesion. Need some fire and urgency, though this is vastly different era.

Looks like another year where getting above .500 will be a constant struggle. Already losing two of every three games if they don't win tonight. . Nothing to inspire confidence that they will be able to win close games or sustain a decent winning streak. Probably see some games where they win in blowouts but regularly lose the close ones.

Ugly and demoralizing. Potentially the worst game of the season considering the opposition. This year's bullpen are playing like last year's starters.

Heart of the order need to score now. Lose and we are tied with the Mariners in the standings.

The parade of nameless, faceless, mediocre journeyman relievers continues. And save the feel good human interest stories for other times. So stupid putting them in the middle of live action.

Goodwin proving last year was no fluke. More bullpen drama now.

Seems like Maddon treated the situation too casually and let it get out of hand. With a three run lead over a losing team he thought they could just coast the rest of the way. These are the games you need to have the opposite mindset. A killer instinct to bury the opponent and secure the win. Especially this 60 game season.

Real fun night so far. Not! Almost 5 hours of Dodgers, then switch over in the middle of a Seattle rally. Mayers is serving up terrible pitches.

Unfortunately in Canada not an option.

So much for trusting broadcast listings. Of course the Dodger / Houston games keeps going, entering the 12th inning. Longest game so far. I hate these 'joined in progress' broadcasts. Already missed half the Angel game. And counting. But at least they cut in for Ohtani's homer.

Shortstop is a critical defensive position. You don't mess around there unless forced to by injury or under performance. Not sure if Fletch has the range to be a great shortstop, but he has the hands and reflexes to be solid on the basic plays. Looks good at second on the pivot and ball handling but short requires more range and agility. Put him out there while Simmons is hurt and get a book on his defense. Longer term the possibilities are intriguing. Simmons may have two or three years left before more obvious decline sets in. But it looks like he is already turning into a liability on offense. A great glove man at short or second doesn't have to be a strong hitter, but Simmons will want to be paid for what he was, not what he is now. Fletch is the best utility player in the game now. It will be interesting to see how Maddon chooses to maximize his talent.

Five games, only the Ohtani inning spoiling some good consistent pitching. What a contrast to last year when the starters were giving up crooked numbers early in most games. If the pitching remains consistent it allows time for the hitting to coming around. Which it is. Clean up some of the fielding and base running mistakes and there is no reason this team can't contend.

Base running really changed the complexion of the game. Again. Decent pitching, men on base but no clutch hitting or ability to push a run across the plate. The Simmons dp probably symbolized the whole season so far. No discipline, poise or patience. Trout can't do it himself, but when he slumps no one else rises to the occasion. And it is fair that the biggest, richest star in the sport be expected to be the difference maker when the team is at it's lowest ebb. Not every at bat or game, but one good game of four in this freaky season is depressing. No worry in a regular year, but the Angels now are the equivalent of 3 - 8. Maybe it's just that Oakland is that much better. Let's see what happens against the Mariners.

Well the station I was watching cut away from the game to go to the Blue Jays broadcast. Another station was supposed to show the Angels game but has been off the air for whatever reason. I guess I'll watch the Padres game now. The only alternative in Blue Jays nation!

All things considered Canning wasn't terrible. A few mistakes but competitive. Not good enough to inspire enthusiasm but maybe adequate at the back of the rotation.