Duren, Duren

Nice long rest for Pujols. 

Maybe he comes back a little more energized or else gets used to longer gaps between starts. But first base remains unresolved. 

Doubtful Bour has a dramatically better second half, though the odds are that he improves at least somewhat. If he and Pujols split most time there we will get occasional power, average at best defense and not more. 

Kole needs to keep up his homerun pace and Upton to get more consistently hot for better RBI results. And the loss of La Stalla really creates a void in the production department.

Nice commentary here.

Bottom line is that the team is a work in progress. The core offensive and defensive pieces seem in place longer term, and maybe four or five pitchers.

Secret will be to compliment this core at first, catcher, possibly another outfielder. And a couple of better starters. The bullpen should sort itself out as is, with more experience and defined roles. Another live arm wouldn't hurt.

Things are pointing to a positive 2020 season with a few more tweaks and additions. And remember, Asmus is a rookie and learning too.

Exploit his versatility and don't lock him into a preset role.

Some starts, some relief (situationally determined) and maybe 60 - 70% hitting. DH and pinch hitting. First base potentially as well?

Try and maximize the value of his two way talent without sacrificing one or the other more than necessary. That means carefully plotting what he does series by series, week by week. 

Against certain teams one or other of his skills may be more important, so anticipate this and prepare accordingly.

Of course his use depends on his health. Pitching will start off more carefully but monitor him closely and adjust as necessary.

Alonso overall was more impressive in terms of his mindset, preparation and hitting approach. 

Pederson and Vlad have tremendous power, but are primarily pull hitters. Alonso has natural power to all fields and hits the ball with power where it's pitched.

Mind you, this was batting practice stuff, where the intent of the pitcher is the opposite of real game pitching. 

Remember, in league play Vlad has modest numbers. And is a liability on defense. He will get better, but it will take time, and the 'book' on him will eventually be a challenge as teams study him more. 

Contrary to popular opinion, the homerun contest is a silly exercise. Artificially designed without real baseball hitting skills factored in. Might as well hit off a tee, or bring in Boar and other players  with only power who can crush a ball when it's delivered on a platter. 

Fun to watch but more a video game simulation than anything else.

I expected NHL.and NBA free agent headlines and saw this. I could not believe this! I was at the game Saturday night, and watched him carefully. He sure looked solid and ready for a nice second half.

Still in shock. Great guy in the prime of life. Everything else sports related loses any importance. 

At the game tonight. Nice post game fireworks, deadly boring Angel performance. 

Some hard hit balls by Calhoun, but little hard contact all night. Pujols and Ohtani were constantly off balance amongst others. And Simmons surprisingly  screwed up in the field.

Skaggs just faltered and made some key mistakes. Cahill had no velocity and is not long for the major leagues. 

Uninspired and disappointing to have to see them shut out in front of a nice home crowd. 

La Stella deserves it. On pace for over 30 homers, has been penciled in up and down the lineup, solid on defense and the base paths. Hits for average as well as power. Certainly in the top two at his position in the A.L.

Eligible as 'comeback player of the year?'

I never attended an all star game, but was at the 1982 open workout/fanfest the day before the game. Really fun seeing the best players show their skills and joke around with each other.

A footnote was watching all the media of that era running around for interviews and features. Howard Cosell of course had to be treated like royalty. He sat in a plush chair behind home plate and players were led to him for the honor of gracing his presence.

Purely hypothetical, but not impossible. People change their minds and circumstances alter previous plans.

If Albert's personal service contract could be cancelled or voided in some way and he was the equivalent of a free agent after his playing career what would he now do? Assuming money and terms to be equal.

Continue with Angels as originally planned, or go back to St. Louis in a similar capacity.

His love for St. Louis is a dominant part of his mindset and seems now to have become intensified. Would he want a do over and return as the prodigal son or endure the tough life of a mega millionaire in SoCal?  

I doubt the Cards would take him back now as a player even if he played for free. 

One thing noticed at both Ducks and Angels games is how marketing is directed at families and young kids. That's expected to a certain degree but it seems excessive in Anaheim. 

More attention directed to promotions, kids activities, participation events and so on. Especially at Ducks games, where between period time is exclusively kid oriented. 

A little more focus on team, stats, history and past franchise greats would appreciated. 

I also don't see as many Angel fans keeping score in their seats as I have elsewhere but that probably is a generational thing. 

I still have scorecards from the seventies that are cool to go through. Recreates a game in detail and are nice nostalgia items.

Albert may be projecting. Deep down he knows his Angels career has been a dramatic reversal of form. And many (including Cardinal fans) will see his move as purely mercenary. 

Had he remained close to his first decade production he may have been more magnanimous. But he now comes 'home' for the first time since the switch and projects both nostalgia for his own Cardinal adoration and the contrast in Anaheim. 

It's tough when a franchise icon changes teams. You always feel he doesn't quite belong to the new team. No matter how exemplary he acts. 

The tremendous difference between his Angels and Cards numbers and personal/team success makes this even more obvious. 

Willie Mays as a Met was far worse, but understandable because he returned to his original city and fan base. And it was only a brief but painful finale.

I always look at Albert's Angel career as something he undertook in good faith, and he gave his best on and off the field. But diminishing skills and results just made the situation more awkward.

And the way he left the Cardinals also may have been an unresolved emotional factor for him too. Probably will have closure this weekend.

Ideally he will probably sign a one day contract to retire as a Cardinal when the end comes to his playing career.

So hard to sweep four on the road. Law of averages caught up even against a bad team. Too bad. Almost a seasonal sweep. 

Sloppy game. Pitching never in control, confused base runners, weak start and always playing catchup. But even so the bats almost compensated for everything else.

Feeble series from Albert when he was in there. If things don't go well in St Louis he may be sitting more than playing.

Jeez, with solid starters who can eat innings and not give up crooked numbers regularly the team would be in real contention. The bullpen needs some games where they get to be used sparingly and spotted strategically. Not always having to bridge innings and wear down by over use.

Weird sort of karma between Montreal and Florida. Almost a scenario in reverse of the early 2000s when the Expos played a chunk of games in Puerto Rico and their owner dumped them to buy the Marlins. 

I have family and friends in Montreal who are rabidly hoping for a return of a major league franchise. Every year they sell out exhibition games with the Jays and are constantly lobbying for a new stadium and relocation or expansion.

The stadium issue looks to be fast tracked if a full or partial franchise is granted. The original owner of the Expos, Charles Bronfman was a great civic figure and humanitarian, who singlehandedly financed the Expos and worked with then mayor Jean Drapeau to entice Warren Giles (N.L. President) into putting the Expos there. His son is now spearheading the present movement. 

With a very respectable and loyal fan demographic they should thrive. I went to games there for a decade when the crowd was in the 35,000 - 50, 000 range regularly. That was mid seventies to eighties when they had exciting, winning teams. Three HOF team mates in Carter, Dawson and Raines and loads of talent. But they just couldn't beat out champion teams (Pirates, Phillies, Dodgers in 1979-81) in the pre wildcard era. And after the strike in 1994 when they had the best team in baseball, cynicism set in. The sale of the team and intentional stripping of assets (a Jeffrey Loria specialty) sealed their fate with a slimy relocation. 

Personally I would take a mild interest in the fortunes of a new franchise. I haven't lived  there in decades and have moved on. But any competition in the Blue Jay market would be great.

Stroman knows he is gone from Toronto. You can hear it in every interview. He has become very cynical about "the business of baseball" and has a defeatist attitude on their current team. 

But he would still be a risky acquisition if the cost was too high. The Jays know he is one of their few youngish veteran assets with a decent track record and is better than his recent stats. In Toronto he is a big name, and they will leverage him to the max, hoping a contender overpays. Probably at the deadline.

That said, he would be a strong addition every five days. On a team with much better defense his numbers will improve quickly. But not sure the Angels are ready for a long term commitment. 

Sweep the Jays and head to the Gateway city on a hot streak. Come home at least at .500 unless swept and dig in for the dog days with a full lineup. Slow, steady incremental progress. As long as the pitching holds up enough for the bats to do damage. 

The Jays defense is insanely horrific. Embarrassing for their fans. So many errors of omission besides those of commission. Outfielders have no clue whatsoever. Infielders an adventure unless the ball is hit directly at them. Even then a ton of fumbling and stumbling. 

With all the minutiae of hitting and pitching prioritized it seems defense is an afterthought. Players shifted like chess pieces. Put in unfamiliar spots. Checking their cards constantly. 

The analytic revolution is creating stationary robots, without trust in athleticism, instinct and feel for game situations. Baseball by the book rather than the body and mind.

As Casey Stengel said "can't anyone here play this game"? 

Anyone worried about La Stella and current slump? Reverting to old normal or just some fatigue from everyday play?

Also like to see Bour with more at bats. When he makes contact the ball has a chance to go a long way. Maybe phase Albert out after the St. Louis series if things don't improve for him? 

La Stella cold as ice since all star recognition. But others have picked up the slack. 

Nice to see Goodwin still being productive and positive even with Upton back. 

For the remainder of this year the best chance of winning is with Calhoun in right field. 

So far the only blemishes in this series for the pitchers has been the long ball. Mind you, the reverse is almost as true. Poor Blue Jay defense has compounded their problems while the Angels have been much tighter in the field. 

Need to keep on winning. Six for six against Toronto. At least one of the next two and anything but being swept in St. Louis will send the Angeles back home no worse than .500. 

Blue Jays studio guy Joe Sidal all grumpy saying hanging leg is akin to a balk by deceiving the batter and should be banned. 

 Strohman has been doing it regularly, but little complaint about that. 

The turf in Toronto is wicked. Best to be cautious where possible. Upton may just need to have a game off and get his body re-familiarized with the nine inning routine. Sort of like spring training again for him in terms of muscle and joint litheness and fluidity. Seems like his eyes and hands are ready but no point pushing him at this point. Especially against a weak team. 

10 minutes ago, Lou said:

Upton didn't get enough love for his performance.

He still showed he has his timing, despite missing 72 games. First pitch, no problem! And those really strong wrists. Looks effortless when he makes solid contact. A real professional hitter and solid, experienced player. These types often get overlooked because they aren't flashy, but are the backbone of deep teams.

The Blue Jays enter most games expecting to be beaten. Their announcers (Shulman and Buck Martinez tonight on TV) rarely even talk about winning. It's all about hoping for young players to prove themselves and veterans finding their lost form. 

They do have long ball hitters and some good arms, but are wretched on defense and still searching for an identity. 

But with no pressure to win, you can't get over confident or sloppy. 

The Angels have swept the Blue Jays so far this season. The odds of back to back series sweeps is unlikely, but this is a golden chance to finally move past .500. It would be a nice emotional boost entering St. Louis on a high. 

Ok. Time to keep burying the Jays. The Tampa series should have gone better, but ended up adequate considering the opposition, travel and road factors. 

Blue Jay nation is still hung over from the Raptor parade, and baseball is now a casual distraction. This season is just one long extended experiment with them as they try figuring out their future. 

Vladdy Jr. Is their showpiece. Treated like his emergence into stardom is inevitable. Probably is, but right now he is still on the learning curve. 

Can't make pitching mistakes against this team because they have some guys who can hit mistakes a long way. Keep the pressure on and they will likely beat themselves. 

Nice to see Upton back. You have to allow some time for him to readjust, but the middle of the lineup looks as good as it can be once Simmons returns. 

Pitching is the big problem still. Too many games where they give up big innings or can't keep it close. 

Eppler will have to sacrifice offensive quality somewhere down the line to get proven pitching help.

I think the inconsistent strike zone from many umps is part of the equation.

Trout has a great feel for his strike zone, and many times you can tell by his body language that he is disgusted with many called strikes. 

Uncertainty about marginal pitches leads to swinging at some that he would normally take, and that throws off his discipline and leads to swinging strikes out of the zone or weak contact.

Also, early called strikes affect how the at bat will develop and the count affects how Trout reacts from then on. Psychological reaction as well, not trusting future calls.

He still has a great eye, but add up these kind of at bats from game to game and they result in a lower batting average.

Ted Williams would go crazy with the ball and strike calls today. He had the utmost respect from the umps of his day, who usually trusted his judgment of pitch location. Trout should, but doesn't get that respect even though he has earned it.

A classic example of a  gamble gone wrong. It happens all the time, and is one of those low risk, high reward moves where you hope for the best. 

His distant past success seemed too tempting and outweighed his more immediate problems. Too bad he personally was responsible for some losses. Real 'wins impossible to replace' for the team. 

But he walks away with a nice chunk of change and probably gets signed somewhere else next with another team willing to take the same gamble. But likely as a tryout player at little cost.