TurboFan

Mayers shuts them out in the first. He’s got this - piece of cake.

That someone was Eppler, probably at Arte’s insistence. And this is why I believe Minassian firing Maddon was not a knee jerk over-reaction as many have stated. I suspect Perry was mulling over what to do at the expiration of Madden’s contract and may have already decided to move on (doubling down the day Joe walked Seeger with the bases loaded while losing - I would hope). Then when the losing streak happened, it presented an opportunity to accelerate the transition that he wanted anyway to a new manager of HIS choosing and have a look at Nevin in the process. It will be interesting what happens with Nevin next year.

And somewhere in the Sierras, a blind squirrel stumbled upon an acorn..

Duggar and Velasquez in the same lineup once again. Back to back following Suzuki. Why don’t we just play with one hand tied behind our backs. To win We have to shut them out and have 1-4 hitters score a run. Long shot.

In my opinion this loss is on Nevin. #1 - Should NEVER have Duggar and Velasquez in the same lineup. #2 - should not have pulled Wantz who was breezing for Loup with 2 out in the 8th just cuz the next batter is a lefty. Then they pinch hit with a righty anyway. Cost us the game. Stasis just insured the loss. Pretty awful.

Raisel with a Blown Save tonight for Atlanta at Boston. They are not using him to close. They are going to learn the hard way that he is not as good in low pressure situations or with inherited runners.

Knock yourself out, Ghost.

If they tear it down to the studs and start over it likely solves nothing because the new team will be constructed by the same organization. I’d prefer to see them fail while going all out for it. More entertaining in any case.

Rengifo has the apparent tools we need, perhaps, to help solve our infield slugging void (Walsh excepted). An infielder with power “potential.” We badly need him to take the next step. Soon. It drives me crazy that after years of instruction in the minors, he has that annoying little league hitch in his swing. Jeremy Reed - please iron it out for us suffering fans! Watch his hands. Just before the pitch is delivered and before he would have time to get a read on what it is, his hands start to swing, very quickly reverse, and then start the real swing. It’s subtle and quick, but I have to believe this is not good form. None of the elite hitters do something like this. So please, somebody mentor him for the sake of us frustrated fans. We need him at full potential, not bouncing along the bottom year after year after year.

This is why having Duffy replace Rendon hurts so so bad.

Has anyone noticed Rengifo has a tiny hitch in his swing? It’s so small you have to study his swing to recognize it. Every time I notice it I wonder how that didn’t get ironed out in the many many years of minor league instruction. Only little leaguers can have a hitch (of any magnitude) in their swing. Never in the Bigs.

The sudden tanking of all aspects of the game simultaneously clearly indicates a curse. This team is currently subject to a Hex.

I think Perry’s long term strategy is to fill future starting pitching depth needs mostly by developing the 20 pitchers he drafted last year, and the ones he may draft this year, and not by trading away promising young position player talent. This is because trading for or acquiring proven aces in free agency is super expensive, and then they can be fragile and play every 6 days, not every day when healthy. If the 20 draftee strategy works, we have years of young quality pitchers under control coming up. When they go out for Tommy John, you’re not paying them $30M or whatever to rehab. So you can spend it on Ohtani, Trout and in the future hopefully Ward and Marsh. And you haven’t ravaged your position player prospects coming up. May have to ink the occasional Syndegard, Lorenzen to fill gaps until the plan comes to full fruition. I think it is the way to go from the position they are currently in. As long as the 20 draft plan produces one or two great starters each year, it will be interesting for years. Detmers looks great. Bachman coming along. We’ll see what Siltheth looks like tonight.

If I were in Perry’s position, I would not do anything hasty. If one of Trout, Ward or Marsh have injury issues, bring up Adell if he seems ready for another run at it. If he is not, bring up a Lagares type to fill the void, or whoever is best candidate. I would not be quick to trade Adell. Need to maintain quality depth in the OF so we don’t have to press Whitefields into service before they are ready. I’m glad Perry has been reluctant to trade away young developing talent. If Adell becomes a beast, approaching Trout and Ward 2022 performance level, it just means more frequent days off for all of them as long as all remain healthy. Nothing wrong with that. It’s rare to go through an entire season without significant injury absences from the top 4 outfielders, so might as well be prepared for it.

Until yesterday I have given Maddon the benefit of the doubt, based on his record in the WS, etc. Today, I am off the fence. Joe exposed himself as a hopeless meddler/micro manager who believes he has way more contribution to winning games than he really has. Yes, I am a little slow, as many have been saying that for a long time. You were right. Let’s call it “managerial narcissism.” His statement about doing it for a human factor, to stir up the troops rather than because of any numbers is breathtakingly bad judgement. I don’t expect he will lose his job because of this decision, but I think it will be stuck in Perry’s mind at the moment he decides to pass on a new contract for Joseph (assuming it is Perry’s decision). A WS appearance is needed to save his job now, or should be. Too bad. I was hoping he was The One to take us to the promise land. Apparently not.

I’m fine with it. I just want someone who is easy to listen to and doesn’t grate on me like Sutton, and therefore make me pine for Victor Rojas. I don’t even care what he has to say all that much. Just don’t annoy me and piss me off. Vasgersian has grown on me, I like him a lot. Most anyone in a secondary role will likely draw an unfavorable comparison to Vasgersian. From the Angels point of view, with Vasgersian doing more games, the secondary play-by-play guy’s load will be light and I’m guessing Patrick will save them some coin. Why pay top dollar for two top of the line guys and have them always compared and contrasted? Patrick hangs around and does double duty as the pre/post game guy so he is a good fit because he is already there.

Imagine what it would be like to be one of the young fringe starters. Because you recently made it to the Majors you haven’t demonstrated enough efficiency and durability yet to be penciled in as a 1-6 starter, but you are given the opportunity to compete for one of the spots. With that offense behind you, what could possibly be a better place to be than with the Angels? That ought to be a huge motivation to a young guy with a fierce competitive spirit. They all know that. A few of them need to have breakout years and we will be OK. Like Sandoval did in 2021. Maybe he can step up another rung in 2022. No small feat, but quite possible. So yes,of course the Angels can make the playoffs next year. Of course.

“Colon Absorbs Another Pounding” Sounds Ike a headline about the Trevor Bauer investigation.

He doesn’t die “his hair” because it’s not his. It’s a rug. (Bob Costas that is).